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Put casualty decision on the spot, MP urges

Beatriz Ayala
8/ 9/2006

ROCHDALE MP Paul Rowen has challenged the plans to hold a meeting which could shape the future of the Infirmary out of town.

The joint committee of local Primary Care Trusts will meet on Thursday in Prestwich to decide whether urgent accident and emergency care remains at the Infirmary.

Mr Rowen is urging hospital staff, patients and residents to show support for the Infirmary and make their presence felt at the meeting.

As part of the Healthy Futures consultation, plans are in place to replace current services with an urgent care centre and turn the Infirmary into a locality hospital.

Decisions on the future of maternity, neo-natal and children's services will be made in December.

Mr Rowen said: "I know the decision next week will affect the lives of people beyond Rochdale, but I can't see for the life of me why the meeting can't be in Rochdale.

"This is a crucial meeting, where health bosses claim a 'provisional' decision will be made.

"The uncertainty over services continues and it is important to note this is not the meeting where maternity and child care services will be discussed, that is not till December.

"I would like to see as many people as possible attend the meeting in Prestwich.

"I will be requesting an urgent meeting in Rochdale in the very near future so the decision can be explained to the people here."

But Celia Gaze, programme director for healthy futures, said: "The joint committee has been meeting in various venues across the area, including Rochdale, for nearly a year.

"When booking a venue for the meeting next week, we took a number of issues into consideration - these included good transport links, proximity to both a metro station and bus stops, convenient car parking facilities and the capacity of the venue.

"We are confident the venue is an appropriate choice in an easily accessible location for both car and non-car users and we would encourage and welcome as many people as possible to attend this meeting."

The meeting will start at 9.30am in the Longfield Suite, The Longfield Centre, off Bury New Road.

Anyone needing transport to the meeting should contact Paul Rowen's office on 712186.


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(3)


Most recent 2 of 3 user comments

   How can somebody attend a meeting at 9.30am in Preston if they have to do a school-run or actually have to go to work? This management team may not realise people in Rochdale are very busy people. They have not consulted with people in Rochdale because there would not be a venue big enough. If a meeting was held in the evening IN ROCHDALE people could attend. One of the meetings I attended was not advertised enough. I only new about it because somebody had asked me to take them there. Posters should have been put in local schools and doctors surgeries.Information about meetings should have been on the front of The Rochdale Observer. Their organisation seems very shoddy, not professional.
Mrs Dale, Rochdale
17/09/2006 at 03:39
   When is the meeting? Can people submit their views on-line? This should be easy to arrange with lots of people having access to the internet. I am now convinced that the management team responsible for "making changes" are NOT from Rochdale. We are very friendly northern folk but we will not be bullied. We pay our taxes like everyone else. More houses could be built here soon. We need more facilities, not less. This is supposed to be a democratic society where everyone should have their say. Changes like this will cost lives and money.
mrs robinson, Rochdale
17/09/2006 at 03:17
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