More work needs to be done, say NHS bosses, before any decision on the future of the Alex Hospital (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)
Get involved! Send your photos, video, news & views by texting BA NEWS to 80360 or e-mail us
More work needs to be done, say NHS bosses, before any decision on the future of the Alex Hospital
12:00pm Thursday 13th September 2012 in News
MORE work needs to be done before any decision can take place regarding the future of the Alexandra Hospital.
That was the message from NHS bosses who recently met to discuss NHS Worcestershire’s Joint Services Review (JSR) which is looking into healthcare in Worcestershire.
As part of the JSR, launched in January, services will shut at either the Alex or the Private Finance Initiative hospital the Worcester Royal.
This is because there is a £50 million gap in NHS finances which will open up over the next three years unless something is done as funding is not keeping pace with rising patient demand and the cost of new treatments.
Neal Stote, from the Save the Alex Campaign, welcomed the news.
He said: "I believe Worcestershire Acute NHS Hospitals Trust has been shocked by the public and political outcry to their initial four healthcare models.
“It is important that this review is done right and it is clear there are many complex matters that have arisen in the trust’s rush to save money.”
Mr Stote also questioned what impact the JSR has had on staff and on the ability to recruit new staff.
He added: “Given the level of uncertainty and public opposition surrounding the JSR I believe the current models should be scrapped, allowing some staff morale to be restored and the trust to launch a positive recruitment drive to fill vital potions."
NHS bosses met earlier this week to review all of the work to date including public feedback and the advice of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Leaders agreed that more information was needed on certain issues.
NHS Worcestershire chief executive, Eamonn Kelly, said: “It is so important that we get this right for local people.
"We remain committed to finding the best possible combination of high quality, safe, accessible, sustainable and affordable services for the people who use the NHS in Worcestershire, now and in the future.”
Bosses have not said how long the JSR will be delayed for, but are still considering formal consultation later this year.
