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Government appeal in bid to save A&E
Bethan Dorsett1/12/2006
ROCHDALE Council will appeal to the government if the accident and emergency department at Rochdale Infirmary is downgraded.
The joint committee of Primary Care Trusts has decided to back plans to turn the unit into an urgent care centre.
The decision will be announced within the next few weeks by the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority, who will also announce next Friday whether or not the Infirmary's paediatric and maternity wards are to close.
But the council's cabinet has now formalised a plan to object to health secretary Patricia Hewitt if the decision is made to turn the A and E into an urgent care centre.
Members argue the proposals have not been made in the interest of Rochdale residents because the most seriously ill patients would be sent out of town. They will call for another public consultation.
Speaking at Monday's meeting, Councillor Irene Davidson said: "Our report proves to the residents of Rochdale that we mean business.
"We can make sure that the health bosses don't get away with this. They have fibbed to us at the health committee.
"We will find out if they have been lying to us all along."
Welcoming the decision, Councillor William Hobhouse said: "We want the secretary of state to reverse this decision at a national level.
"This report sets out a number of ways to put pressure on the government."
But the cabinet refused to fund a £720,000 judicial review into the decision - it is a process that can not be funded by any councils.
It did agree, however, to provide 'non-financial' support to anyone taking legal action.
Their decision comes as the parents of a five-year-old boy who died earlier this year apply for legal aid in a bid to halt the downgrading of the accident and emergency.
David and Lisa-Louise Fitton are to seek a judicial review into the Healthy Futures consultation and the bid to scrap urgent A and E care.
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3/12/2006 at 17:41
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1 Let the people of Rochdale decide.
2 You claim that savings have to be made. so let the people of Rochdale do that.
3 We have the talent and skill in Rochdale to balance the books.
4 Has the good Lord said' All things are possible to those who believe.
5/12/2006 at 14:26