Reaction to the delay of plans

Buy photos » Labour leader Coun Peter McDonald, Save the Alex campaign organiser Neal Stote and Bromsgrove District Council leader Coun Roger Hollingworth. s

BROMSGROVE campaigners have welcomed the delaying of the decision on changes to hospital services and have said they hope a long-term solution can be found.

Town MP Sajid Javid said he felt the decision to delay was a result of the huge public response the proposals had received.

"They have a duty to take public opinion into account and I hope they will be taking notice of the 53,000 plus people who have signed the petition when they do make a decision on the options."

Bromsgrove District Council leader, Coun Hollingworth, said: "It's good news the decision has been delayed and shows the Save the Alex campaign has had an impact.

"But, I do believe we need a sustainable long-term solution to providing hospital services locally," he added.

The authority's Labour leader, Coun McDonald, added: "I welcome the delaying of the decision, which should be forever so A&E and maternity services remain at the Alex.

"The trust has realised that the people of Bromsgrove and Redditch aren't going to be dictated to by a group of doctors.

"Many of them have never even been on a bus and when I've asked in the past how someone would get from Rubery to the Worcestershire Royal, they hadn't got a clue."

And Coun Bill Hartnett, leader of Redditch Borough Council, paid tribute to the work of the Save the Alex campaign but added he, together with the leaders of Bromsgrove and Stratford councils, were still eager to meet new health secretary Jeremy Hunt and hear his response to people's concerns.

"I would like to think the magnificent work carried out by the Save the Alex campaign has had an influence on this development. It is clear by the number of signatures the original models did not meet with the approval of the public in this area. We now look forward to seeing what new ideas this extra work will bring to the table."

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