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MPs are urged to join fight for Infirmary

3/ 1/2006

MEMBERS of Parliament are being urged to join the fight against proposals to downgrade Rochdale Infirmary.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen raised the issue during the last debate of 2005 in the House of Commons and urged MPs to get behind the Observer's Hands Off Our Hospital campaign.

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has already pledged his full support to the campaign and signed the Observer's petition calling for plans to cut vital services to be scrapped.

Regional health chiefs want to close maternity, neo-natal and children's services at the Infirmary, as well as downgrading the accident and emergency department to a 'bumps and bruises' service.

So far, more than 9,600 people have signed the Observer petition and Rochdale residents will be able to formally have their say during a three- month consultation period due to start this month.

Mr Rowen said the loss of services at the Infirmary would have a dramatic effect on people in Rochdale and Rossendale because they faced a long journey to hospitals in Blackburn or Oldham.

He also urged the government to listen to the concerns of Rochdale residents.

He told MPs: "The Friends of Our Hospital group, which has been set up and chaired by Father Arthur Nearey and the local newspaper, the Rochdale Observer, are campaigning against these changes.

"I hope once the consultation starts in the new year we will begin to see the Government listening and taking note of the real concerns felt by my constituents."

Speaking after the debate, Mr Rowen said he hoped other MPs would support the campaign against the 'disastrous proposals.'

He said: "I hope I have given MP's food for thought over the holiday period.

"I was glad to mention the Rochdale Observer in my speech, the paper has done a wonderful job in raising awareness of these disastrous proposals."