THE leader of Redditch borough council has called for an urgent meeting to discuss what he called the ‘shocking state’ of the local health trust.
Councillor Bill Hartnett’s action follows an inspection by the Care Quality Commission which once again rated Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, (WAHT) which runs the Alex, as ‘inadequate’.
“I have called for an urgent meeting with the chair and chief executive of the Trust and the chief operating officer of the Clinical Commissioning Group to discuss what the issues are and what they are planning to do to address them,” said.
“I have also invited our MP, Rachel Maclean, as we know the Secretary of State for Health said WAHT is one of the trusts he has concerns about.
“Two years on the Trust is still in special measures, still running a deficit in the tens of millions of pounds, they have downgraded services at the Alex, and withdrawn the hopper bus which leaves residents, patients and visitors isolated with very poor transport links to Worcester.”
Earlier this year the council held a health summit which concluded Redditch should look to Birmingham instead of Worcester for key medical care.
Coun Hartnett said: “I want to offer once again the help and support of the Council by continuing the drive to improve the quality of life for the people of Redditch.”
