Infirmary to lose accident and emergency services

Health Bosses confirmed at a meeting today (Thursday 14 September) that Rochdale Infirmary will lose its accident and emergency services, that in effect means any major trauma will have to travel all way to Oldham Royal.  Health Bosses repeated again and again that this would only mean an extra 10 minutes on the journey, but used a Heywood postcode to justify this, totally ignoring Rochdale.  The decision to close A amp; E in Rochdale was taken unanimously: 6-0.

Paul Rowen MP spoke of his disappointment after the meeting: “The decision was hugely disappointing, from the start of the process health bosses only gave Rochdale one choice, downgrading to a locality hospital, despite massive opposition from the people of Rochdale and several other options put forward by local residents, including the option of the locality hospital being elsewhere, e.g. Fairfield, Bury.  This option was not even considered or appraised. I will be consulting legal experts to see whether this decision can be challenged and if it can we will carry on the fight.

“I would like to thank everyone, including the 39,000 who signed our petition and the 1500 people who completed an individual response.  Rochdale as ever was united; particular thanks must go to Father Nearey for Chairing the Friends of our Hospital and Councillor Jean Ashworth for her outspoken commitment to hospital services in Rochdale.”

Paul Rowen spoke at the meeting saying: “I am not opposed to change, however, I ask you to consider siting services where they are needed.  Central and Falinge has one of the worst mortality rates in the country and it is vital that you should retain emergency and acute services in Rochdale.”

Councillor Jean Ashworth said: “I am devastated for the people of Rochdale, especially the staff at Rochdale Infirmary.  I feel that we have not been listened to; they have not taken into account the huge level of public feeling.  I spoke at the meeting and said that I hoped they have listened to the thousands of people who took part in the consultations or signed petitions, they obviously didn’t.  God forbid, we have a repeat of a serious house fire, such as the one in March 2004.  I do not want to scaremonger but had A amp; E not been there for this family the consequences, as stated by health bosses at the time, would have been fatal.  This is a sad day for Rochdale!”

Sir Cyril Smith MBE said: “This is a disastrous day for healthcare in Rochdale, the people who made the decision, including doctors, should be ashamed of themselves.  Clearly we will examine if there is any way of appeal to get this disgraceful decision reversed.”