Rachel has thanked the more than 6,000 residents who have signed her petition calling on health bosses to return the Garden Suite Chemotherapy Unit to the Alexandra Hospital.
The petition was launched by Rachel in May in response to comments from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust bosses who said the ‘temporary’ re-location of the Garden Suite from the Alex to Kidderminster may become permanent.
Since then, Rachel has convened a number of Alex Working Group meetings with the Trust to make the case for this vital service to be returned to Redditch’s hospital.
Rachel said:
“Since the very moment we learnt the Garden Suite Chemotherapy Unit had been temporarily re-located to Kidderminster, I’ve been clear and consistent in my belief and desire to see this vital service returned to the Alex.
“Before the pandemic struck, there was already a chemotherapy suite at Kidderminster. This now means there are currently two chemotherapy units operating from Kidderminster.
“If the Alex was to permanently lose the Garden Suite, then it would be the only one of the Acute Trust’s hospitals not to provide chemotherapy. This is a situation that I cannot and will not accept.
“All three of the Acute Trust’s hospitals must provide chemotherapy, as they did before the pandemic.
More than 6,000 residents have now signed Rachel’s petition.
And while the relocation of the chemotherapy unit remains temporary, Rachel is continuing to do everything she can to ensure the Garden Suite is returned to the Alex.
“Thank you to the more than 6,000 of you who have signed my petition so far,” Rachel added.
“Local health bosses can be in no doubt about the strength of public feeling on this issue.
“I’m continuing to do everything I can as your Member of Parliament to secure the return of this service. The Garden Suite’s home was the Alex before the pandemic, and I’m determined to make sure the Alex is the Garden Suite’s home once again.
Health bosses have told Rachel they intend to make a decision about the future permanent location of the Garden Suite around October and November time.
“I have made it clear to health bosses that my constituents must be properly consulted,” Rachel said.
“Their views must be at the heart of the decision-making process. This process should begin immediately and without delay.”
