A MEETING has been scheduled between Redditch MP Karen Lumley and consultants at the Alexandra Hospital next Friday (July 15) to discuss emergency temporary changes to paediatric inpatient services from September 2016.
Mrs Lumley says she will also take the opportunity to learn more about important new services that will be centred in Redditch.
Last week, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Alex as well as the Worcestershire Royal and Kidderminster Hospital, announced a temporary change to paediatric inpatient services at the Alex from September.
However health watchers are braced for the temporary move to be made permanent.
While the Woodrow Drive hospital will still see around 90 per cent of the children that currently use A&E, the very sickest will be transferred directly to Worcestershire Royal if they need admitting into hospital.
Outpatient, blood tests, X-ray and scanning services remain unchanged.
“I am very clear here that we do have to be guided by the clinical experts, of which I am certainly not one,” said Mrs Lumley.
“I have always said I would not support the continuance of services that are not safe, and so I have to reluctantly support the announcement of a temporary change to paediatric inpatient services at the Alex.
“We have very little choice, and I am told that for the majority of children there will be no change in procedure.”
A&E at the Alexandra Hospital will still have staff who have the skills to treat children. If a child then needs admitting into hospital they will be transferred to Worcester by ambulance.
Mrs Lumley added: “I have also in the past stated my concern about transport links between hospital sites in Worcester and in Redditch, and I am told that as part of the Future of Acute Hospital Services in Worcestershire Review a transport group has been set up to discuss and make recommendations regarding transport links and that discussions are taking place with the local authority to see what extra provision could be put in place.”
