Infirmary A&E to be closed in the evenings

Rochdale Infirmary

Secret plans to close the Accident & Emergency department at Rochdale Infirmary in the evenings have been revealed. The closure is planned to take effect in June of this year - just after the General Election!

Under the proposals Rochdale Infirmary would divert emergency ambulances to hospitals in Oldham and North Manchester after midnight until the morning.

This comes as another massive blow to local heath services in the town after another recently leaked report revealed that local PCTs had been asked by the Strategic Health Authority to cut £1Billion across Greater Manchester. These cuts include 15% to mental health care, 10 percent in demand for hospital care and also cuts to the numbers of staff and their pay.

The evening closures are part of the next step in the Government’s plans to close Rochdale Infirmary’s A&E next year. It will be replaced by an urgent care centre caring for the walking wounded but not the seriously ill.

Rochdale MP, Paul Rowen, said: "Management, including the Chief Executive John Saxby, met staff yesterday. They were told of the plans and told to keep quiet until after the General Election! This grubby and cynical manipulation of our services is typical of this government. They tell us the NHS will not be cut yet they are planning cuts for immediately after the General Election. They are trying to take us as fools! This comes as another massive blow to local health services in the town.”

Councillor Jean Ashworth, a former nurse on the children's ward at the Infirmary last night challenged Tom Wilders, Operations Director of Pennine Acute at the local Health Overview and Scrutiny. He admitted the plan existed but said it was just an option.

Jean Ashworth said:" When are we supposed to be consulted on this closure - after it happens?

"They are trying to take us for a ride!

"They have made no effort to cope with the current workload let alone if they shut the A&E doors in the evenings."