UNISON PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: 24/08/06

BRITAIN’S LARGEST TRADE UNION JOINS THE CAMPAIGN TO SAVE THE ALEX HOSPITAL

UNISON, the UK’s largest trade union has signed up to support the campaign to save the services at the Alexandra hospital in Redditch.
UNISON West Midlands is concerned at the proposed downgrading of services at the Alex which could mean the axing of the Maternity, Paediatrics, and Gynaecology services. There will be no births at Redditch, expectant mothers and family members in the surrounding Redditch and Bromsgrove districts will have the burden of having to travel a substantial distance to give birth and visit loved ones - either Worcester or Birmingham. Emergency Children's services are also threatened with inpatient services moving to Worcester.
UNISON represents staff working at the Alex, Worcester Royal and Kidderminster hospital sites and is concerned about the impact proposed changes could have on staff workload, terms and conditions at hospitals in the region. The union is committed to campaigning to protect the interests of the NHS, its staff, the services it provides to communities and the patients it cares for.

UNISON sees the campaign to save the Alex as part of a national campaign to Keep the NHS Working. It is calling on the government to stop expanding the role of the private sector in the NHS to prevent further damage from the closure of wards and services and more announcements about job losses.

UNISON is urging its members to attend the forthcoming rally at the Alex at 11.30 on 5th October. The rally coincides with a Worcester Acute Hospital Trust Board Meeting taking place at the Alex at 2pm. This will be the last meeting before the proposed changes enter the consultation period.

Edna Hall, UNISON Regional Officer says, “Our members at the Alex, Worcester Royal and Kidderminster are worried about the affects the proposed changes will have on their jobs and patient care. The current situation in Worcestershire is creating a climate of fear and there has never been a more important time to campaign against cuts and job losses in NHS services.”

Neal Stote from the Save the Alex Campaign says, “There are calls from all sides now for these vital service services to kept at the Alexandra Hospital. It would appear that it is only the trust board, for what ever reason, that are intent on carrying out these cuts. The board say they are listening, let them hear your voice of objection by joining the protest on October 5th”

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