Councillor renews plea to save A&E

A Rochdale Councillor has renewed her plea to stop the closure of Accident and Emergency services at Rochdale Infirmary after three members of her close family received vital treatment on the wards recently.

Councillor Jean Ashworth, who also works at the Infirmary, was full of praise for staff working in A&E and in the medical and surgical during what has been a very difficult for her and her family.

"Over the past few months I have experienced many a personal need for these most valued services in A&E and on the medical and surgical wards," she said.

"From the bottom of my heart I can't thank or praise the staff enough on A&E, MEU, Sparthfield and ICU for the excellent care given to three members of my family. The dedication and expertise has been tremendous and valued.

"It is very difficult to be a family member when your loved one is ill but the love and respect I and my family have received deserves acknowledgement.

"God forbid we lose these services as none of us knows when we might need them."

Councillor Ashworth is renewing her calls to the infirmary's management to plead with the Government and prevent ward closures.

"To the managers of the infirmary, I say please stand up to this government and stop this madness. We all know that to remove these services just is not going to work.

"Stand up and fight for your hospital. One day, like me, you might need it. We have a service to be proud of and a service that does save lives."