Friends group to fight for our hospital

Rochdale Infirmary

The ‘Friends of Our Hospital’ which was formed as a pressure group to fight the downgrading of the Rochdale Infirmary have once again joined together to help tackle the problems the hospital is facing.

The decision to restore the group to its former glory was made when the final straw came in the form of the ambulance divert announcement – which will be implemented next Monday (2 August 2010).

Councillor Jean Ashworth, a former employee of the hospital and the Chairwoman of Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee explained what the group is trying to do.

“We are an all party, non political group who are trying to keep an eye on things and to make sure the things that were promised are followed through. Many issues concern the friends of our hospital – for example, why did the trust not inform Health Overview of the ambulance divert before it hit the headlines?”

Councillor Ashworth continued: “Over the past six to eight months we have seen more and more services downgraded or removed and to top it off the loss of our 999 service, which was a very premature move.”

The Friends group and Councillor Ashworth are also forging links with other hospitals which are campaigning for services.

One of the hospitals is based in Newark, Nottinghamshire.

“Although we are far away we work together and we help one another,” said Councillor Ashworth.

Councillor Ashworth concluded: “We had a positive response at our meeting last week, positive in the fact that we are not giving up on the services that were promised to the borough of Rochdale. We will work together.”

She added: "Everytime I read a story regarding the Infirmary it is sad, bad news. As Chair of Health Overview and Scrutiny I want something positive to come from this Trust. It is the only way we can move forward."

The Friends of Our Hospital Group is open to anybody.