I HAVE sent this letter to Rachel Maclean MP.
I READ with horror the BBC news report that West Midlands Ambulance Service is now unable to take trauma patients – in other words broken bones – to the Alex.
It is well documented that Worcestershire Royal Hospital has diabolical ambulance queues, so this means more people will be forced to wait in pain and discomfort for medical treatment.
It also raises the question over what the Alex A&E can actually treat?
Cardiac issues are sent to Worcester. Suspected strokes are sent to Worcester. Any maternity or gynaecology issues are sent to Worcester. Any serious child injuries or illnesses are sent to Worcester. This is obviously the long game of centralisation – to denigrate local services to such a point that the Alex becomes a hospital for planned surgery with a minor injuries unit attached.
This new announcement is utterly devastating for care home residents and their families. Any fall will now be investigated at Worcester, instead of our local hospital. This incurs more mental trauma and distress to those vulnerable people.
What are you doing to ensure Redditch residents are not disadvantaged when they require acute hospital services?
S Harvey, Southcrest
I WAS looking forward t reading the November 12 edition of the Standard, and I was not disappointed.
Yep! They were all there – Joe Baker, Claire Davies and Mark Tomes, not forgetting the rest of the boys in the band on the letters page. They were incandescent with rage.
The object of their collective fury? Rachel Maclean had in their eyes made a terrible mistake.
A fact which she acknowledged and apologised.
Anyone who has never made a mistake is either divine or a liar.
Rachel Maclean was put in an impossible situation.
She was damned if she followed the three line whip and damned if she didn’t.
It is one thing for the Rt Hon Sir Peter Bottomley MP, the father of the House to defy a three line whip, he is fireproof.
It is another for a comparative newcomer to do so.
The fault lies firmly at the door of Boris Johnson.
To insist junior members follow such a stupid decision not only questions his judgement but also his integrity.
It is an action unworthy of a gentleman, there again we always knew he was no gentleman.
So hard luck Rachel you were given the option of being shot or hung.
Best not to make a habit of it though.
D Vincent, Winyates
COUNCILLOR Mike Rouse makes a very valid point about the lack of responses from the public about the regeneration of Church Green (Redditch Standard).
However this is the same Coun Rouse who wrote a fairly abusive letter (October 15) about the Labour Party and it’s supporters for daring to have a different opinion about the library!
In a nutshell, many people feel it is not worth bothering to participate in consultation if their views do not follow the official narrative, as they will not be listened to or their views will be rubbished.
You only have to look at two recent examples concerning the Amazon distribution warehouse (sorry ‘fulfilment centre’) and Ipsley Cemetery to see that when people do participate they are ignored anyway!
I have lived in Redditch for 10 years and without doubt Church Green and the town centre could be really nice and improvement work is definitely needed.
Whether I am happy to let Coun Rouse and the Conservatives ‘just get on with it’ is an altogether different matter!
The library building appears to be structurally sound and is more visually pleasing than many other modern structures in the area.
It makes no sense to demolish it when it could be incorporated in the redevelopment.
I Welch, Redditch
A GARDEN to Remember – 1927 to 2027.
Every year in late October and early November the Garden of Remembrance in Plymouth Road gets spruced up.
In the autumn the bindweed (Calystegia sepium / Convolvulus arvensis) isn’t visible.
During the last half century, the bind weed has been allowed to ‘feel at home’.
Although somewhat controlled by ground cover fabric this weed hasn’t been eliminated.
In a few years it’ll be 100 years since the Garden of Remembrance was created.
Its history includes being cut into two parts by Redditch Development Corporation.
Has our Borough Council any plans yet, not just to celebrate its anniversary, but also ensure it is no longer home to this invasive weed?
P Bladon, Southcrest
REGARDING the article about resurfacing work starting in Deans Close.
May be there could be a follow up article on how it is a complete shambles.
How does the council people to find alternative parking while they dig all the parking spaces up?
It’s very poor planning and it could have been done a lot better.
There are many alternative ways of making the work more productive than leaving 56 households having to find parking.
J, Church Hill
REGARDING the proposed housing development by the Coventry Highway.
Better to put the library down there out of the way.
People unable to use the services soon forget it exists.
Staff can all be sacked and it can be used to house the 1,000 plus boat people who came across the Channel today.
Plenty of English books to keep them occupied for the next 100 years.
Can’t be any busier than the English Channel!
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