August 24, 1979

REDDITCH folk have been accused of complacency over a campaign aimed at improving medical facilities at Smallwood Hospital.

They have not come forward with details of problems faced getting to casualty departments in Birmingham.

Organisers of a campaign for a round-the-clock service in Redditch are collating information about how local people have suffered because of lack of facilities in the town.

But so far residents have been shy about coming forward and sharing their experiences.

"The problem is that people are complacent," said Councillor Keith Boyd-Carpenter, one of the campaign organisers.

"They are not prepared to go out of their way to improve facilities. It takes very little time to ring us and tell us of the problems they have faced.

"If we get a lot of information we will be in a much stronger position to bring pressure to bear on the relevant authority."

All the information gathered will be forwarded to Sir David Perris, chairman of the West Midlands Regional Health Board.

At present, Redditch casualty ward only operates from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.