Couple prepare for A & E court battle

Reporter: Jan Harwood
Date online: 06 June 2007

"We are fighting to save our son. We have buried one and we never want to repeat that."

"If Rochdale’s A&E is shut down, that’s what we will be doing."

Those were the words of David and Lisa-Louise Fitton when they spoke to Rochdale Online just hours before setting off to London ahead of a High Court hearing on Thursday morning, 6 June, which could decide the future of Rochdale’s Accident and Emergency services.

Mr Fitton said: "Having A&E in Rochdale is like a lifeline to us. We feel safe knowing that it’s there. If it closes it is not worth thinking about."

"Take away A&E and you have killed our son", Mrs Fitton emphasised.

The NHS Primary Care Trusts of Greater Manchester plan to close Rochdale A&E as part of their Healthy Futures plan for healthcare. The Fittons, with the full support of local councillors and MP Paul Rowen, are fighting to stop that possibility from becoming a reality.

The Fittons have taken part in a long-running campaign to stop emergency services being closed down and moved to Oldham. The couple's son Dion died on 8 October 2006, whilst the battle to save their other son, Jordan-Lee, continues. David and Lisa-Louise are adamant that that battle will be lost if Rochdale’s A&E is closed.

The future of Rochdale’s A&E services could hinge on tomorrow’s court decision but the Fittons are determined not just to save their own son’s life but those of many others in the Rochdale borough by pleading to the high court to rule against the proposals of the Primary Care Trusts. "We’re not really sure of our chances, it’s in the balance," said Mr Fitton. "Our hopes are pinned on winning the case, not just for Jordan but for the whole of Rochdale. We don’t want to think about the future if we lose this case but if we do it will be back to drawing board. We won’t give up but it would be a big disaster."

Councillor Jean Ashworth has been one of the major forces behind the fight and she will be accompanying the Fittons to the Royal Courts of Justice. She said: "Losing A&E would be an absolute disaster for Rochdale. Minutes matter when getting people to A&E and moving facilities to Oldham could add thirty minutes to a journey. If Rochdale facilities are closed people are going to die. The Fittons can currently get Jordan-Lee to the [Rochdale] Infirmary in five minutes, if they have to go to Oldham its going to take an extra twenty and they are not the only parents that will suffer."

Councillor Ashworth concluded: "The NHS is about patient choice. Rochdale has had no choice in this matter, that has been taken away and now lives are going to be taken away too, if A&E is closed down. Rochdale is being conned, well and truly conned."