Alarmed by hospital proposals (From Messenger Newspapers)

Alarmed by hospital proposals

3:33pm Monday 16th July 2012 in Your Letters

WE are alarmed at the proposals to close Trafford General A & E, ICU and children's services.

We hear from sources within the hospital that A&E has not been included in next year’s budget even though public consultation still has not taken place.

Our objections are based on the following issues: 1.If the A &E facility closes fewer people will be admitted to the wards within the hospital therefore the long term prognosis is that eventually the 'hospital' will cease to exist not just the services that are at present being condemned.

2.Trafford residents will lose these facilities even though residents are paying council tax and income tax in this borough.

3.Schools in the area will have to transport pupils 75 minutes away. This will mean staff accompanying pupils until parents are able to attend will be away from schools for longer. If the child is transported by ambulance the member of staff then has to get back by public transport which is not direct.

4.If Trafford residents attend the proposed hospitals, because these facilities are no longer in Trafford, and they are admitted, Trafford residents will find visiting extremely difficult.

This will particularly impact on the elderly and those without their own transport. Residents in Partington, which is not an area renowned for its affluence, will potentially find it extremely difficult because of transport links.

5. Because of the proximity of the Trafford Centre,Trafford Park industrial area, M60 and sporting venues at Old Trafford, with the hospital at the hub,there is the potential for major incidents to occur when Trafford's A &E, ICU and children's services will be vital.

6. There have been no assurances given that the alternative hospitals have the required capacity to cope with the increased number of patients.

7. The ambulance service will be called on to take more people on longer journeys.

Many people who make their own way to A & E at present will use the ambulance service because of the difficulty of transport and time taken to the other proposed hospitals 8. One of the reasons given is that Trafford General is one of the smallest hospitals in the country.This argument is a 'red herring' because there has to be a 'smallest hospital'!

9. We know that health authorities in Southern England are being bailed out by the government. Why should Trafford be any different because as stated in point two we are paying our taxes.Why should we not have the same rights as these authorities!?

We would like our MP and our councillors to state that they categorically do not support these proposals and that we will be granted a referendum.

Bernadette and Dennis McLaughlin, address supplied