Anger and dismay at Infirmary decision meeting

Reporter: Jan Harwood
Date online: 05/01/2007

In an emotional and hot tempered meeting at Rochdale Town Hall, the angry protests of the public were ignored as the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts announced a unanimous decision that Rochdale Infirmary is to be downgraded to an 'Urgent Care Centre'.

The news proved to be particularly hard to bear for Councillor Jean Ashworth, who has worked tirelessly as Secretary of the "Friends of Our Hospital’ group to save Rochdale’s healthcare services since plans to downsize were first announced two years ago. In an emotional speech in front of the Committee, she said: "I have been working at the Infirmary for 30 years and I find this decision appalling. Rochdale Infirmary is full; in the last few weeks there has been standing room only in A amp; E. All other hospitals in the area are on divert; they are turning patients away. If they cannot cope now, how will they cope with Rochdale’s patients as well? Can you put your hand on your heart and honestly say that people’s lives are not at risk? I beg you to postpone your decision and to re-think. You are making a huge, huge mistake."

Other members of the public continually voiced their concerns throughout the meeting but ultimately their concerns fell on deaf ears, and there was a look of resignation when the five representatives of the Joint Committee all said "yes" when asked for ratification of the decision to support Option One.

Chairman of the Committee, Tim Presswood, formally announced: "The Joint Committee of PCTs has reached a formal decision that it will support Option One of the Healthy Futures Consultation."

The adoption of the Option One policy means that Rochdale Infirmary will become a 'Locality' hospital by 2009 and Accident & Emergency service changed to an 'Urgent Care Centre'.

Services that will remain at Rochdale Infirmary were outlined: "Paediatrics assessment and observation will be undertaken via a separate paediatric area, within the Urgent Care Centre which will allow for treatment and review and short periods of observation by appropriately trained staff.  The total length of stay will not exceed the four hours Emergency Access Target.

"Any children needing longer periods of assessment would need to be transferred to a hospital with an on-site inpatient service, i.e. Royal Oldham or North Manchester General."