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Decision date is set for maternity
Stephen Foster10/11/2006
A DATE has been set for the crucial decision on the future of healthcare in Rochdale.
On Friday 8 December the Greater Manchester, High Peak and East Cheshire's new Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts will say whether or not maternity, neo-natal and children's services will remain at the Infirmary.
The meeting, to be held at the CIS Building in Miller Street, Manchester, will be the culmination of more than six years of deliberations in the biggest healthcare consultations to take place.
In September the committee decided unanimously to downgrade the Infirmary's A and E department to an urgent care centre amid a wave of protest.
But at present it is only a provisional decision and will not be implemented until the future of the maternity unit is decided.
Amid the disappointment at the axing of A and E there was hope that the maternity, neo-natal and children's services could be saved.
The original five options of the 'Making it Better' consultation team involve scrapping them.
However extra options were put forward which would see the Infirmary and Bury's Fairfield Hospital keeping services in place of North Manchester or the Infirmary keeping services instead of Stepping Hill.
The new moves came in response to thousands of protesters, many of whom backed the Observer's Hands Off Our Hospital Campaign which culminated in a 40,000-signature petition being handed in to Downing Street.
Councillor Jean Ashworth, a nurse and one of the leading campaigners, said: "I am very optimistic about the outcome of the meeting.
"A decision in our favour would show that they have listened to the people.
"The health authorities have always said that the Rochdale people were the most vocal and challenging in fighting their corner.
"It was the biggest campaign they had to face."
MP Paul Rowen shares Councillor Ashworth's optimism, but was more guarded with his comments.
He said: "The 8 December is a vital day for us here in Rochdale.
"I am hoping that we get the right decision that Rochdale has demanded.
"Anything else would be a travesty and I have cancelled everything in my diary.
"Rochdale Infirmary has been belatedly included in the options and I pray that we can celebrate a positive decision in what has been a disastrous year for healthcare in Rochdale.
"It will be an early Christmas present for us and a great relief."
Most recent 2 of 4 user comments
16/11/2006 at 21:10
Got an opinion you want to share?Have changes to the service meant that you now see your dentist less regularly?
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I urge lcals to strongly protest and urge the powers that be to retain these services.
They are your right and you should retain them.
I may not live in Rochdale but am a regular visitor and have spent themajority of the life there.
The ONLY way to save it is VOICE your need for the service.
HAVE YOUR SAY.!!!!!!!
18/11/2006 at 11:42