THE Redditch Advertiser is today launching a petition calling for vital services to be retained at the Alexandra Hospital.

Our campaign comes after health chiefs last week proposed downgrading the hospital and moving the accident and emergency department and maternity unit to Worcester.

Angry Alex staff have inundated the Advertiser with calls, speaking of their fears for their jobs.

The proposals, announced by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust on Thursday, aim to cut expenditure by up to £27 million a year.

They involve centralising inpatient obstetric, gynaecology and paediatric departments, and transferring A&E, emergency surgical services, cancer surgery and critical care to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

One Alex worker, who did not want to be named, said: "We're absolutely gutted and lots of people are in tears.

''The mood is very downbeat because we can't see any good coming out of this for anyone in Redditch.

"We seem to have inherited a debt from Worcestershire which sees Worcester people benefiting and Redditch people suffering.

"Every possible option involves centralising the health service and moving it away from Redditch but the terrible effects on our community have been glossed over," she added.

Trust chief executive John Rostill admitted Alex staff would be among those most affected by the changes.

But he insisted Redditch residents and staff would benefit from the proposals and that they would be involved at every stage of the consultation process.

"This is an open report which has been transparent from the very beginning. We haven't done anything behind closed doors," he said.

Mr Rostill added none of the options were final and any number of other options could still be considered before the publication of a final consultation document in December.

Redditch MP and Government minister Jacqui Smith has said proposed changes should not lead to cuts in services in Redditch.

In her Letter from Westminster this week, she writes in the Advertiser that she will not support any loss of services at the Alex.

Ms Smith says the trust could make the necessary savings through better working practices and describes the proposals as "outrageous".

Concerned residents can contact her by emailing smithjj@parliament.uk or by writing to her at House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

Readers are urged to sign the Advertiser petition by Monday, October 31, by calling into our town centre reception in Church Green East.

You can also take forms away with you to be signed by family, friends and colleagues and return them by post to Alex Petition, Redditch Advertiser, Yorkshire Bank Chambers, 7 Unicorn Hill, Redditch B97 4QR.