Shoppers slam A&E closure

Rochdale Infirmary

This week a decision was made by the Pennine Acute Trust to close Rochdale Infirmary’s Accident and Emergency department to emergency ambulances between 6pm and 8am from Monday 2 August.

The closure follows staffing problems and recruitment difficulties but the decision is likely to affect the whole borough.

Today (Saturday 10 July 2010) Rochdale Online reporter Laura Wild spoke to shoppers in Rochdale to find out what they think of the decision.

Becky Gough slammed the decision as "stupid", she said: “It is really stupid! I have four children and A&E is vital. An extra five minutes travelling to a different hospital could mean life or death for people.”

David Webb echoed these thoughts, he said: “It shouldn’t be shut at night; the next news will be that they want to shut it altogether. 6 o’clock is a busy time and if an accident happens then travelling to another hospital could mean getting stuck in traffic and the worst could happen.”

Diane Moult described the closure as "very worrying". She said: “If the reason is staffing problems won’t the extra numbers at other hospitals cause problems?

“The hospital is run as part of a Trust so why can’t staff be shared out?

“I really don’t think they are doing the right thing. They need to rethink the decision.”

Ian Johnstone said: “It's such a ridiculous decision; it will have a knock on effect on the other hospitals. It really could mean that lives are lost but by the time they realise that it will be too late.”

Samantha Bolton added: “They shouldn’t close it to ambulances at those times, the consequences will be dreadful. I hope the other hospitals are ready for the extra work.

“Using other A&E departments will mean they need more staff too and probably bigger buildings. I think this is very worrying.

"I think after 6 o’clock accidents do happen, for example, the children play out after school around that time.”

Christine Dickinson deemed the decision as "ridiculous", she said: “I think this will cause more deaths. Getting to Oldham or Bury in the early evening can take a long time with all the traffic. It is an extremely bad idea.

“Once I had to go to A&E at 5 o’clock in the morning with my child and afterwards we were just sent home in a taxi, which cost me money, imagine being stuck at Oldham or Bury and having to pay the taxi fair for all that way home.”

Jean Jackson agreed with Mrs Dickinson and said: “This could be particularly crucial for people having heart attacks who need to be seen urgently.”

Sarah Knight from Rossendale said: “Things are meant to be getting better not worse. Rossendale hospital is closing and the nearest to us is Rochdale or Blackburn if Rochdale closes then we have a heck of a way to go to Blackburn.

“Local hospitals need to stay open. In emergencies people panic and they will be worrying like mad if a loved one is stuck in traffic and can’t get to a hospital.”

Comments have also been posted on Rochdale Online’s Facebook page about the decision.

Helen Crabtree said: “What an absolute disgrace, they need to be ashamed of themselves. This is sad times for Rochdale.”

Tony Philips commented: “Is anybody really surprised? Morally and practically disgusting!”

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/44085/rochdale-infirmary-aande-to-close-at-night