Rowen welcomes second Government Health Announcement! (Rochdale Liberal Democrats)

Rochdale Liberal Democrats <info@rochdalelibdems.org.uk>

Rowen welcomes second Government Health Announcement!

February 23, 2007 10:34 AM

Paul Rowen MP - Campaigning on the front line!

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen has welcomed the announcement from the Secretary of State for Health that she will be reviewing the decision to remove Accident and Emergency Services at Rochdale Infirmary and Emergency Surgery at Fairfield Hospital, Bury. This comes just a week after she announced that she's also looking at the decision into removing Child Care and Maternity Services at the same hospital. This has put Health Bosses plans in compete chaos, and now leaves the Borough with a clear opportunity to put the case for retaining these vital services. Healthy Futures and the Making it Better Reviews have attracted criticism from across the political spectrum in Rochdale and elsewhere.

Paul Rowen MP said, "This is great news for campaigners in Greater Manchester and especially in Rochdale. I do feel especially confident now that our voice is being heard - campaigners have never given up and I hope that this review will show these measures for what they are - a wholesale cost cutting exercise. The fact that Health Bosses are now prepared to look at both consultations is a huge step forward and linked to the Judicial Review that the courageous Fitton Family have fronted for Rochdale - I feel Health Bosses had no choice! This is now a new start and I can't thank campaigners enough for their enthusiasm, now begins the next stage of the campaign."

Leading Health Campaigner - Councillor Jean Ashworth said, "I'm speechless, this is great - I found out at the start of the Council Meeting and I had to bite my tongue - wanting to shout this great news from the ceiling. I hope that now, with a level playing field in this whole debate we can save our services. The efforts of the Fittons, the Friends of our Hospital and other campaigners cannot be underestimated. Lisa and Dave have been superb - their application for Judicial Review played a huge role in this decision!"

At the Budget Council Meeting - Rochdale Council Leader - Alan Taylor said, "The great is that the decision to close our Accident and Emergency Services at Rochdale Infirmary and further services at Fairfield Hospital has been called in by the Secretary of State for Health for further consultation, similar to Child Care and Emergency Services. Can I again praise campaigners including Paul Rowen, the Friends of our Hospital and others who have done a sterling job. Also, praise must go to the Fitton Family who have played a major and courageous part in this campaign by fronting the Judicial Review into the Healthy Future's Consultation."

Former Rochdale MP Sir Cyril Smith said, "This news is welcomed - and another step forward for campaigners who never gave up. I know that the Friends of our Hospital, led by the superb Father Arthur Nearey will now campaign with an extra spring in their step. The fact that the Secretary of State has called in both decisions on the consultations illustrates what I have said all along - that the decision was flawed, lacked common sense and we await a positive decision. There is still a long way to go though and we must acknowledge that we haven't won the fight yet, this is definitely a step in the right direction."