Councillors urged to block closure plans for A&E at birthplace of NHS

COUNCILLORS are being urged to block plans to close Trafford’s A&E at two vital meetings later this month.

Both Trafford’s Health Scrutiny Committee and a joint meeting with Manchester’s Health Scrutiny Committee will  discuss the outcome of the public consultation on closure plans.

Trafford’s Strategic Programme Board – a collection of health professionals many of whom have been involved in formulating the closure proposals – have predictably already given the go-ahead to the plans.

They have ignored a 12,500 name protest petition and massive public opposition to the plans to close the A&E unit, the Intensive Care Unit and stop children’s services and acute surgery at the birthplace of the NHS.

But now councillors in both Manchester and Trafford can halt the plans by referring them to the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt.

Campaigners hope they will argue that the plans will not improve health services for people in both Trafford and Manchester but will have a serious detrimental impact.

Councillors will also be under pressure to argue that the Trafford proposals must be considered as part of a planned massive shake-up of hospital services in Greater Manchester later this year.

Save Trafford General Campaign Chair Matthew Finnegan said: “It’s no surprise that health professionals have  ignored the views of the overwhelming majority of local people and have taken a ‘we know best attitude.’

“The ball is now in the court of local councillors who have the power to de-rail these reckless and dangerous plans to cut services at Trafford General.

“The plans are driven by cost-cutting and the convenience of clinicians – not the best interests of local people who risk delays and longer queues for vital treatment at other already over-crowded hospitals.

“We will be urging local councillors in both Trafford and Manchester to maintain a united front and to stand up for the interests of local patients.

“We are also urging the public to turn out in force to attend both meetings to show the strength of local opposition to the plans.”

• Trafford’s Health Scrutiny Committee meets at 6.30pm on Wednesday January 9th at Quay West, Trafford Wharf Road, Trafford Park, M17 1HH
• Manchester’s joint Health Scrutiny Committee meets at 6.30 on Monday, January 14th at Manchester Town Hall.

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