Hospital petition extended

Councillor Jean Ashworth

An online petition regarding the future of health provision in the borough has been extended.

The e-petition, which so far has almost 1,500 signatures, was due to finish on 2 August, but has been extended for another month.

The petition states:

“We the undersigned petition the council to take all appropriate action within its power to ensure that the Borough and surrounding areas have adequate accessible Hospital Care.

“We feel that the NHS proposals to downgrade and remove services from the Rochdale Infirmary and Fairfield Hospitals are leaving this Borough and the surrounding areas unsafe and without adequate accessible Hospital Care.”
The petition was started by Councillor Jean Ashworth and she is urging people to sign it.

She said: “The petition has taken off recently due to the number of people experiencing personal problems and that is the reason it has been extended to the 2 September and will continue, if needed, on what the public request.

“It is also much easier to sign now it is on the front page of the Council’s website and has full backing of all Councillors in the borough.”

Councillor Ashworth added: “An awful lot of people never thought it would actually happen but are now suffering major issues, in particular transport problems, which Healthy Futures assured the people in this borough would be available for out of area appointments etc, this has never been put into place - and breaks the promise of ‘adequate accessible hospital care.’

“The lack of beds for our elderly and most vulnerable is causing upset and distress for many people, both the patient and their visitors.

“Services have been removed without consultation which has angered many people who have contacted me requesting the e-petition to be extended and this is their chance to voice their concerns.”

To sign the petition visit: http://democracy.rochdale.gov.uk/
mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=34