REDDITCH MP Karen Lumley says she would be prepared to chair a public meeting where concerned residents could quiz health chiefs from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (WAHT).
Her response comes in the wake of campaign from the Save the Alex group backed by a petition for her to face the people over cutbacks in hospital services in a public meeting.
The Woodrow Drive hospital has seen serious gynaecology cases, maternity, trauma injuries all go to Worcester with in-patient paediatrics set to follow in September.
Speaking on Wednesday (July 13) the MP, who stepped down from her role as a Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Department of Health on Monday – a move which she says will give her the freedom to speak out for the Alex in the House of Commons – said: “My initial thoughts on hearing of this was that I wasn’t sure what I could tell people as I’m not a doctor, and I didn’t see the point of holding a public meeting just for everyone to have a go.
“This should not be a political issue – at the beginning of all this we were all working together and I am still working on trying to get the best for the Alex.”
Neal Stote, chairman of Save the Alex said: “People want to hear what she wants to see at the hospital and her vision for the future there.
“As a campaign group we haven’t met with her for a long time now but she said she is fighting for the hospital so let’s hear what she has to say.”
Mrs Lumley is meeting top doctors at the hospital today (Friday, July 15) where she will suggest they attend a public meeting.
