‘STAY at home and protect the Alex’ – that’s the message from Redditch MP Rachel Maclean following increased measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
All non-essential shops have been instructed to close by the Government and people must now stay at home.
Residents should only leave their home if they are shopping for basic necessities, to do one form of exercise a day, to receive or give medical care or travelling to or from work – but only if it is absolutely necessary and work cannot be done at home.
Mrs Maclean said health bosses have already seen a reduction in the number of people coming into the Alexandra Hospital’s A&E department.
“This means more staff are available to prepare for critically ill patients.
“We know coronavirus has reached our local area and it is only a matter of time before numbers increase.
“But please be reassured that all urgent cancer care and life-saving treatment will continue, however non-urgent surgery may have to be postponed.
“I know how difficult this is for everyone, as well as the impact it has on quality of life, and these are not decisions taken lightly.”
Mrs Maclean added her thanks to ‘every single NHS worker’.
“You’re staying at work for us, so the best thing we can do is to stay at home to support you.”
Work is ongoing across the region to ensure services and staff are concentrated at key sites.
MIUs are still open as normal in Evesham and Bromsgrove.
*If you have resources that you think could be used to help the NHS at this time, visit http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/here2help
