PRESS RELEASE
"New Elderly Frail Assessment Unit at Alex helps reduce pressure on A&E". This is just one of the good news headlines that could be used after Rachel Maclean, MP for Redditch County, visited the town’s hospital on Friday (17 November).
Rachel enjoyed a two-hour tour around some of the wards and departments at the Woodrow Drive hospital, speaking to consultants, surgeons and nurses about the amazing work done on site.
Rachel said: “The good news that should be spread far and wide about our hospital is overwhelming, although unfortunately it is all too-often clouded by the negative. For instance, I learned that the Alex is one of the top centres for urology in the country, providing world class training for doctors and surgeons and delivering thousands of successful operations every year.
“I also saw for myself the wonderful work being carried out in the newly-established Elderly Frail Assessment Unit. The work there is helping to relieve the pressure on A&E by catching patients before they reach the trauma stage.
“I also had the privilege of meeting a patient with breast cancer who was on a course of chemotherapy. She told me that the care and compassion of the staff at the Alex was beyond compare.”
Rachel was also shown around the operating theatres and paid a visit to some of the wards, the pre and post-natal units at the hospital and the A&E. She also popped into see the hospital’s busy League of Friends, who over the years have raised thousands of pounds for worthwhile projects throughout the site.
Rachel added: “All the staff at the hospital I met, without exception, were overwhelmingly positive about their Trust and delivered their care in a wholly professional and compassionate way, and I have the utmost respect for them all.
“I am in the process of vigorously trying to bring forward the £29m capital funding for the Trust, and I won’t rest until it is delivered.”
Pictures
Picture 1: Rachel chats with staff at the Alexandra Hospital’s busy A&E Department.
Picture 2: She was given a peep into one of the operating theatres.
Picture 3: Dr Julian Berlet, Divisional Medical Director, shows Rachel state-of-the-art endoscopy decontamination equipment recently installed at the Alex.
Picture 4: Rachel meets staff on Ward 18.