THE Save the Alex campaign has received a huge boost after a local crane company stepped in to sponsor their mass rally in Redditch town centre on May 2.
AG Cranes of Studley made the move after reading how the Redditch Hospital could lose vital services leaving seriously ill patients with a torturous 18 mile journey to Worcester Royal.
“We need the services at the Alex, everyone knows that.” said Alan Griffiths, managing director of AG Cranes.
“Speaking personally, if one of our lads fell off a crane it’s a long way to go to Worcester, and my mum suffered an asthma attack and I don’t think she’d have made it if she’d had to go there.
“Worcester Royal’s also been in the news saying they can’t cope in A&E and if you start sending in Redditch ambulances it can only get worse.
“It’s common sense to keep services at the Alex – everyone know it.”
The move follows news that health troubleshooters the NHS Trust Development Authority is sending in staff to look at the situation at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
A spokesman said: “Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is currently facing considerable challenges. To help the trust to tackle these, we have commissioned reviews into how emergency care could be improved and to investigate allegations around bullying and harassment. These reviews are expected to report shortly.
“In the meantime, the NHS TDA is appointing an Improvement director and providing additional senior clinical support. These individuals will work with the trust on immediate and sustainable changes to overcome the current challenges that they face.”
A Trust spokeswoman said: “We are grateful for the support of our wider NHS colleagues and partners who continue to work closely with us to help overcome some of the challenges that we are currently facing..”
Neal Stote, chairman of the Save the Alex campaign welcomed the news of AG Cranes’ sponsorship but described the NHS TDA’s intervention as ‘too little too late.’.
“We asked Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt for this back in February but were told that the Trust could cope when plainly it could not.
“These people should come and talk to the Alex because only by keeping services at the Alex can you relieve pressure on Worcester Royal.”
*The Save the Alex rally is on May 2 starting from the town hall at 11am and walking to the bandstand in Church Green for speeches by key dignatories. All welcome.
