ACCIDENT and emergency services at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch could be downgraded in a review of the county's acute hospital services.
Under the proposals, some A and E patients now treated at Reddich could go to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital instead.
The A and E service at the Alex would continue to provide local emergency care alongside a 24 hour minor injuries unit and a GP service on the site.
The A and E department at Worcester would be enhanced to deal with the county’s major emergencies. This would include a 24 hour, seven day a week, consultant led service with better links to specialist departments including those treating stroke and heart attack patients.
NHS Worcestershire chief executive, Lesley Murphy, said: “The clinical and financial analysis we have conducted so far supports the proposed changes. We are committed to maximising the number of services available at each hospital site. Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust may continue to run all three sites. ”
The patients who would be affected by changes to the Alexandra Hospital are the more serious emergency cases, such as stroke, major trauma and surgical emergencies.
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