Health unions yesterday expressed concern after health secretary Alan Johnson endorsed plans to close maternity units at four Greater Manchester hospitals in Rochdale, Salford, Trafford and Bury. It means maternity care will be concentrated in just eight hospital sites across the whole region.
A so-called Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) also backed plans to downgrade Rochdale’s A&E unit and axe emergency surgery at Fairfield Hospital in Bury.
GMB trade union senior organiser for NHS Charlie Leonard told News Line: ‘We will oppose any cuts in services and jobs by any means we can. It’s very disappointing for a Labour minister to say something like this. We should be bolstering the health service not cutting it.’
UNISON National Secretary for health Karen Jennings said: ‘Any hospital reorganisation has to be in the best interests of, and in consultation with, the community it serves. Changes should not be driven by costs but by the need to provide a comprehensive service, responsive to local needs.
‘There is no one size fits all solution and what may be possible or desirable in the city may not be suitable in the country. People need to know that in the case of an emergency they will get the treatment they need as quickly as possible.’
A British Medical Association (BMA) spokeswoman told News Line: ‘We are not opposed to reconfiguration per se. We don’t support it, if it’s done to save money and balance books.’
Under the ‘modernisation’ plans authorised by Johnson, spun as ‘Making It Better and Healthy Futures’, in north east Greater Manchester, A&E departments will be concentrated at the Royal Oldham, North Manchester and Fairfield hospitals.
Maternity services will be limited to eight sites, with intensive care provided at just three sites – St Mary’s in Manchester, the Royal Bolton and the Royal Oldham Hospital. Wigan Infirmary, Stepping Hill in Stockport, Wythenshawe, North Manchester General and Tameside General will house the other maternity units.
A DoH spokesman said yesterday that the changes to emergency services would be supported by an extra £38m ‘investment’. An additional £60m will be ‘invested’ in maternity.
