Maternity Services to go in Rochdale

Date published: 08/12/2006

Paul Rowen MP has slammed Consultation Bosses after they made the decision to shut Maternity and Child Care Services at Rochdale Infirmary.  Speaking right after the decision he said: "This has been an expensive sham from the start and I am devasted for campaigners.  If Health Bosses have their way – Born and Bred in Rochdale will be a thing of the past.  It’s a disgrace, I’m too upset to say anymore but will make further comments later!"

Pete Hinchliffe, Trade Union Convenor for the Trust said: "The people of Rochdale and also Bury will be devasted by this news. The staff were in tears when I spoke to some of them earlier today.
 
"In the case of Rochdale, the decision to downgrade the Infirmary taken a few weeks ago in the 'Healthy Futures' consultation was to some extent, the death knell for midwifery services in the town. It seems unthinkable to many that a town the size of Rochdale will no longer have a unit where babies will be born.
 
"I would like to pay tribute to the midwives, local politicians and members of the public who fought so hard to save the unit. Their courage and tenacity has been nothing short of inspiring. This decision really does prove that local democracy simply does not work in its present form and there is clearly no confidence in consultations of this sort."