Those helped by Alex issue rallying call to save hospital

Buy photos » Glynn, Libby Rose and Claire Willis.

RESIDENTS who have been helped by Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital have issued rallying calls to others to join the campaign to save the vital services there.

Claire Willis, from Rubery, was 36 weeks pregnant last year when, during a routine check, staff at the Alex noticed her baby was measuring smaller.

The midwife monitored Claire and found the baby’s heartbeat kept dipping, so she was taken to the delivery suite.

It was there they found Claire’s heartbeat had dropped to 40 beats per minute, causing her baby’s heart to stop completely and she was rushed in for an emergency Caesarean section.

On August 3 at 8.35pm, two-and-a-half hours after the routine check, Libby Rose was delivered safely, four weeks early, weighing just 4lb 11ozs.

Claire said: “The team there were amazing they gave me a side room to recover.

“I was there for 11 days and they did everything and more.

“If it wasn’t for the Alex and the midwifery team, I wouldn’t like to think what could of happened.

“We owe them so much - Libby is doing great and we are looking forward to her first birthday.”

She urged other residents to sign the petition to show the strength of public feeling over the issue.

Diabetic Derek Pearson, from Charford, also wrote to The Standard after last week’s coverage.

It was last year, when he saw his blood sugar level soar to a dangerously high level, placing him in a life-threatening situation.

The police were forced to break down a door to get to him and he was rushed to the Alexandra Hospital’s A&E department, where his kidneys started to shut down.

He said: “The staff there saved my life - without that A&E department, I would not be here today.

“I can’t believe there is a bunch of people who seem to put a price on life.

“Some things are worth more than money and surely there are other services that could be cut instead - we are talking about people’s lives here.

“If the nearest A&E is in Worcester, people could die on the journey, getting there.”

He concluded by saying he hoped all like-minded people would voice their opposition to any potential closures.

To sign the Save the Alex petition, go to our office, 44 High Street, Bromsgrove, or sign online at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/34936

A public meeting at Bromsgrove’s Churchfields Surgery will be held between 10am and 2pm on Wednesday (June 27).

Places are limited at the public meetings so they need to be pre-booked on 01905 733981 or by e-mailing worcsnhsjsr@worcestershire.nhs.uk.

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