Health minister meets campaigners

Members of the Save the Alex campaign group met the minister on 13 November along with the leaders of Redditch, Bromsgrove and Stratford-on-Avon councils, local MPs and a local newspaper editor.

Following the 45-minute meeting the group, which is opposed to plans to reduce A&E services at the Alexandra Hospital, in Redditch, said the meeting was positive.

In a statement the group said: “The minister has also accepted an invitation to visit the Alexandra Hospital in January and we look forward to welcoming him and further pressing the case.”

The Joint Services Review is examining acute services in Worcestershire to plug a £50m funding gap and to provide safe sustainable services in accident and emergency departments.

The review is yet to reveal its final recommendations but it is expected to see emergency and high-risk activity centralised at the Worcester Royal Hospital with a reduction in emergency work at the Alexandara Hospital, although it could see an increase in routine elective work.