WE ALL care passionately about the Alexandra Hospital and we all want what’s best for our hospital. That’s why I’m proud to work with Kirsty Southwell from Save the Alex as we fight to return maternity and children’s services.
Last week that painstaking and hard work continued when myself and Kirsty met with Simon Trickett, Chief Executive of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
This follows the detailed, comprehensive and realistic reports into how I believe maternity and children’s services could once again be provided at the Alex.
Whilst we didn’t get the answers we wanted on returning these services to our hospital, the fight will continue and by working together we’re determined to secure the return of these services – something we all want to see.
I’ve been battling away with the trust for years, and I’m confident that I’m leaving no stone unturned in this fight. I’m using every lever I can as your MP to get these services back. I’ve certainly never promised I have the power to do so, nor I have ever claimed we would win this fight overnight.
Despite the outcome of the meeting, there are some positive steps forward that we can take and will improve the healthcare residents will receive.
This includes improving hospital transport, working together to explore what other non-emergency services can be provided for women and children at the Alex in the future, ensuring residents are aware of the wide range of services the Alex does provide and improving the care and bereavement services for families who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss.
I’m looking forward to working with Kirsty and the Save the Alex team to achieve this. As I’ve said, our conversations with local health bosses will continue.
I have long believed the Alex has a bright future ahead of it. This is clearly demonstrated by the investment we’re seeing in our hospital. It’s often easy to forget about or to gloss over the positive developments.
A brand new Breast Imaging Unit has opened at the Alex, Rory the Robot has been installed, paving the way for state-of-the-art robot-assisted surgery to begin by the end of this year.
The Alex is getting a multi-million pound investment in its operating theatres and I’ve secured the commitment from local health bosses to return the Garden Suite to the Alex.
The Alex is my top priority and I will keep fighting for more investment and for the return of a maternity and children’s service.
