Birmingham hospital talks as petition handed over

Buy photos » Save the Alex campaigners hand over the petition to Eamonn Kelly, chief executive of NHS Worcestershire. Picture by Marcus Mingins 3912021MMR

TALKS have taken place with a hospital Trust in Birmingham about the possibility of running services at the Alexandra Hospital.

University Hospitals Trust - which runs the QE in the second city - is said to be interested in the idea but officially has declined to comment.

Eamonn Kelly, chief executive of NHS Worcestershire, admitted talks had been held with other healthcare providers but would not comment on speculation.

"We've been having discussion with Trusts around the county which would potentially be impacted by changes to our services so it's not just Birmingham, it's Warwickshire as well and that's a central part of the work we do because we know demand for patient care is going to go up and we have to ensure we have the capacity to provide that care to people."

It also believed closing the Alex and having one single acute hospital in Worcester has also been ruled out on the grounds of cost and capacity issues.

Doctors failed to reach agreement on a shortlist of detailed options to put to the public when they met earlier this month and are due to meet again on October 10. If a decision is reached an announcement is expected the day after.

A CLEAR message was sent to health bosses this week as the Save the Alex campaign petition was officially handed over.

Neal Stote and other members of the group presented Eamonn Kelly, chief executive of NHS Worcestershire, with 54,421 signatures on Wednesday (September 26) from people across Redditch, Bromsgrove and the surrounding area saying no to the downgrading of A&E and maternity services.

Mr Kelly praised the work of the campaign and told the Standard they were committed to taking the time to make the right decision for the people of Worcestershire.

"We wanted to engage local people about the challenges we face in providing the best hospital care and the campaign has done a fantastic job in getting that message out.

"I've got great respect for them and while listening to what they are saying we continue to work with them and my aim is to get to a position where there is much more common ground between us."

Mr Stote added: "The campaign's petition sends a clear message to the Trust that users of the Alexandra Hospital do not agree with their plans for future health care. The fact they have already been forced to delay their short list of options shows they are under pressure to scrap their unworkable proposals."

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