Communities ready for Alex rally

Buy photos » Council leader Bill Hartnett and Neal Stote, head of the Save the Alex campaign. Picture by Ian Dipple (s).

A VISUAL sign of Redditch's opposition to the closure of A&E and maternity services at the Alexandra Hospital has gone on show ahead of a public rally in the town centre tomorrow (Saturday).

The banner bearing the slogan 'Say No! to Cuts at the Alex' has been hung from the Town Hall in Walter Stranz Square in time for the protest.

Residents from across Redditch, Bromsgrove, Alcester, Studley and surrounding areas are being urged to join with members of the Save the Alex campaign in a show of unity and opposition to proposals by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust as part of the Joint Services Review.

People will gather from 11.15am in the car park at the back of the Town Hall before marching to the bandstand area where there will be a number of speeches by key figures including Redditch MP Karen Lumley and council leader Bill Hartnett.

Coun Hartnett said: "The whole council remains fully committed to supporting the Save the Alex campaign. We must do all we can to protect the future of the Alex and to maintain the essential A&E and maternity services it provides to the whole community. By displaying a banner on Redditch Town Hall we hope to raise further awareness of the campaign and harness more local support, particularly ahead of the rally in the town centre on Saturday."

Neal Stote, head of the Save the Alex campaign, said he had also invited members of the Trust to attend to speak to residents.

"This is your chance to show the Trust the strength of feeling among the public and how important it is to keep services at the Alex and we need as many people as possible to attend," he said.

The petition against cuts at the Alex has now reached almost 43,500.

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