A CONTROVERSIAL tweet by a hospital chaplain in which he compared a trip to hospital with driving to Ikea has prompted a heated debate among readers of your Worcester News.

Yesterday, Monday, your Worcester News reported a row had broken out following comments made by Worcestershire Royal Hospital chaplain Rev David Southall following the announcement that emergency gynaecology services serving the entire county would not be moved back Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital for at least six months.

After campaigners expressed concerns the move, which has been made following a staff shortage, would put women in the north of the county at risk, Rev Southall, who also writes a weekly column in your Worcester News, tweeted: “I would have thought patient safety trumped distance travelled. People go to Ikea for less.”

Readers took to your Worcester News’ Facebook page to have their say on the debate, with some applauding Rev Southall, including Jonathan Garside, who wrote: “Patient safety is what's important. stupid row over nothing.”

But Frances Browne disagreed, saying: “His comment about "that's why we have an ambulance service" is absolutely astonishing. He needs to rethink where he works me thinks!!!”

Meanwhile Rachel W-Sunderland said: “It was a crass remark that unfortunately came across as flippant to the issues people were concerned about. Having said that I'm certain The Rev didn't intend it that way.

She continued: “Any issues regarding KGH/AGH/WRH will always be emotive and as such people (especially those with high profile social media attention) need to just be a little mindful as to how their words could be misinterpreted..but no one is perfect and it's since been deleted so can't we now move on from this?”

Commenters on your Worcester News website were also vocal in their views.

Saying they were “absolutely appalled” by Rev Southall’s comments, Shazronnie wrote: “In an emergency distance is a huge factor, especially if you are relying on public transport. Not all emergency gynae issues warrant using an ambulance - and even if they do a two mile ambulance trip is preferable to a 20 mile trip.

They continued: “If you live in Redditch and you have no car (that's 20 per cent of Redditch residents) it is incredibly hard to get to Worcester Royal Hospital. A typical journey by public transport is two hours. The last bus leaves 10 minutes after visiting time begins. On a Sunday you have little option but a taxi - £25 each way.”

But Gorecki spoke out in support of Rev Southall, saying: “Know nothing about these hospitals, but seems at least a thought provoking tweet. V. uncomfortable when people's reactions are to label these sorts of things offensive/"overstepping the mark". These sorts of things should be asked and calmly debated/thought about.”

Meanwhile Samboy wrote: “I suppose in this day and age such a comment was bound to attract criticism. That does not mean that it is not true though.”