UNION members will be supporting the Save the Alex campaign’s candlelit vigil, due to be held tonight outside the Alexandra Hospital.

UNISON is joining campaigners, politicians, other trade unionists and the local community, who are linking up to prevent a back to the future scenario where essential acute health services  are not provided locally.

Laney Walsh, UNISON branch secretary for Redditch Borough and Bromsgrove District councils, said: “Previously, and for many years, people in North Worcestershire had to travel a long distance to hospitals outside their area to receive medical treatment because there were no local facilities. 

"It was realised as the new town developed that this was a very unhealthy situation.

“When it was announced the Alex Hospital would be built people of Redditch and Bromsgrove heaved a huge sigh of relief because at last they felt safe in the knowledge that medical help was close at hand and their friends and family could visit at little cost and inconvenience.

"Things were not perfect at first as we struggled with an A&E department which only operated between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday for a number of years before the relief of acquiring full services.

“Today, as Redditch reaches its 50th year it should be recognised that its population, excluding its ever growing conurbation, has rapidly increased and now reaches well over 80,000 people.   The distance from the main Worcester site and the towns expanding population support the need for essential health services to be provided by a fully operational hospital locally, that being the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch."

She added: "Local residents deserve no less and should not be plummeted into an unsatisfactory back to the future situation.”

The vigil will be held tonight, on land outside of the hospital site, between 4pm and 7pm.