Delivering their message to Trust

Buy photos » Neal Stote posts the first batch of letters to the Trust. (s)

A MASS letter-writing campaign has begun ahead of the publication of options for the future of the Alex.

As well as collecting over 51,000 petition signatures, the Save the Alex group - set up in response to an review of services by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust which could see A&E and maternity lost from the Redditch hospital - is calling on residents to put pen to paper and send their thoughts to the Trust.

Campaigners were out in force at Morton Stanley Festival and have produced two draft letters which residents can then add their own thoughts to.

Organiser Neal Stote said: "When outside bodies look at the engagement and consultation responses they will look to see how many individuals contacted the Trust and what about.

"The Save the Alex campaign is calling for everybody to write to the Trust to object to the loss of A&E and maternity services at the Alex. We want at least 1,000 letters sent before the shortlist of healthcare models is released by the Trust in September.

"I strongly believe if enough letters are sent, outside bodies such as the Department of Health will have no choice but to get involved."

Letters can be downloaded at www.savethealex.co.uk or copies of both templates are available at the Standard's reception on Church Green East.

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