Information roadshows over future of heart and stroke services

A series of information roadshows will take to the streets of Rochdale, Bury, Oldham, North Manchester and parts of Rossendale over the next few months regarding the future of heart and stroke services.

Following on from public meetings earlier this month -when the consultation on proposals to change services for planned cardiology and stroke rehabilitation was launched – roadshows will be held to gather opinions about the proposals.

The planned changes are part of the Healthy Futures programme. The proposals emerged following a review of cardiology services in the North East sector of Greater Manchester by Professor Roger Boyle, the then National Director for Heart Disease in March of this year.

Experts believe that keeping certain cardiology services at Rochdale Infirmary without the support of other acute services, such as A&E, would be a serious risk to patient safety.

The proposal for planned cardiology is that complicated and high risk cardiology procedures should be moved from the Silver Heart Unit at Rochdale Infirmary to Fairfield General Hospital where essential support services such as intensive care are available.

There are also proposals looking at stroke rehabilitation services, particularly in relation to whether a new ‘step down,’ non urgent stroke facility within Rochdale should be provided. This would be where a small number of local patients who could not go straight home with support, could continue their rehabilitation after the first urgent phase of medical care is over.

This proposal is looking at whether this new facility should be provided somewhere in the Rochdale borough.

Sir Jonathan Asbridge, Healthy Futures Programme Director, said: “We are committed to ensuring the consultation process is open, transparent and meaningful. The roadshows will be touring town centres and popular locations and encouraging members of the public to share any views, thoughts and ideas they might have about the proposals.”

The roadshows are part of a 12 weeks formal consultation process around the changes. It started on 17 October and concludes on 14 January.


All roadshows run from 9.30am – 4.00pm 

• Wednesday 26 October: Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre, Newgate, Rochdale
• Saturday 29 October: Heywood Sports Village, West Starkey Street, Heywood
• Monday 31 October: Prestwich Library, Longfield Centre, Prestwich 
• Saturday 5 November: Heywood Magic Market, York Street, Heywood
• Monday 7 November: Moorgate Primary Care Centre, Derby Way, Bury
• Saturday 12 November: Asda, Old Church Street, Newton Heath, Manchester
• Wednesday 16 November: Middelton Shopping Centre, Limetrees Road, Middleton
• Saturday 19 November: Tommyfield Market, Albion Street, Oldham
• Monday 21 November: Oldham Integrated Care Centre, New Radcliffe Street, Oldham
• Saturday 26 November: Asda, Moston Lane, North City Shopping Centre, Harpurhey
• Monday 28 November:Radcliffe Primary Care Centre, Church Street West, Radcliffe
• Saturday 3 December: Millgate Shopping Centre, The Mall, Bury
• Wednesday 7 December: The Gallery, Union Street, Oldham
• Saturday 10 December: Ancoats Primary Care Centre, Old Mill Street, Manchester