Decision on future of Infirmary services delayed again

Reporter: Jan Harwood
Date online: 26 July 2007

The decision on the future of A&E and maternity services at Rochdale Infirmary has been delayed once more. Health Secretary Alan Johnson MP has directly intervened in the process after the Independent Reconfigeration Panel (IRP) were due to report today, Thursday 26 July. Mr Johnson will take time to look at the Panel's decision.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said: "I'd rather that Mr Johnson took his time as this decision does affect up to 3.1 million residents who are currently in limbo, unsure over whether they will lose vital services. The fact that the new Secretary of State for Health has intervened directly on this issue could be good news. It has almost been a month since the IRP issued the results of their review to the Secretary of State for Health. 

"I have written to Mr Johnson asking him what to look again at the case made for retaining vital services in Rochdale. I will not give up and hope to meet the new Health Secretary and put forward our strong case."

Consultations 'Making It Better' and 'Healthy Futures' have become infamous in the borough's health sector, with both threatening the closure of Accident amp; Emergency and maternity amp; child care services. After staunch opposition and protest from within Rochdale, Paul Rowen MP led the discussions have the consultations referred to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel.

Rochdale's MP has now contacted Health Secretary Johnson directly to promote Rochdale's case for maintaining its health service. He has sent a report to the Health Secretary that was commissioned by Rochdale Council in May 2007. Written by the Health Policy Unit at DeMontfort University the report makes a strong case for maintaining a full set of health services at Rochdale Infirmary.

Since it was made public that Rochdale Infirmary was under threat of certain closures more than 40,000 people have been involved in protesting against the proposals.

Paul Rowen hopes to meet with Mr Johnson in person to discuss the issue and will be informed of any decisions that are made.

He said in a letter to the Health Secretary: "I feel that this is an ideal opportunity for your department to make a common sense decision and I hope that you read the report with an open mind."