THE clinical model for acute hospital services in Worcestershire has been announced which includes centralising key services in Worcester.

The announcement has resulted in dismay in the north of the county from Save the Alex who say the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch is losing key services. 

They claim permanent changes have been put through under the guise of temporary measures. 

The West Midlands Clinical Senate (WMCS) has approved the clinical model for acute hospital services in Worcestershire put forward by the Future of Acute Hospital Services in Worcestershire Programme Board.

The main proposed changes to services in the proposed clinical model of care include the separation of emergency and planned care, creation of centres of excellence for planned surgery, urgent care centre for adults and children at the Alexandra Hospital and A&E remaining at the Alexandra Hospital (adult only) with ‘robust arrangements for managing a seriously sick child if they arrive unexpectedly’ or their condition deteriorates and they need an inpatient stay in hospital.

The model will also include the centralisation of inpatient care for children at Worcester 'with the majority of children’s care remaining local', centralisation of consultant-led births at Worcester with ante-natal and post-natal care remaining local and centralisation of emergency surgery.

The model will now be subject to assurance by NHS England before it is put to public consultation later this year.

The FOAHSW Programme Board has welcomed the findings of the West Midlands Clinical Senate.

Jo Newton, the independent chair of the Programme Board said: “We are pleased that the West Midlands Clinical Senate has confirmed that the clinical model which has been developed by clinicians from across Worcestershire has been accepted as being clinically safe and sustainable.

Their support enables us to move to the next stage of the process.

But Neal Stote of Save the Alex, referring to the change in paediatric inpatient services, said: “We are deeply disappointed but not surprised by this. Another part of the clinical model has been forced through under the guise of a 'temporary' closure ahead of the planned consultation which is fast becoming a joke.

“This isn't temporary but a permanent move in the same way the removal of maternity was.

The focus now must be on ensuring the arrangements for what parents with sick children do from September are properly explained and there is widespread understanding of them.

“Given the trust, and the NHS as a whole, has an horrendous track record when it comes to communications, consultation and engagement with the public we don't hold out much hope.

“A few social media messages and a meeting attended by 30 people won't do. They need to get out from behind their desks in Worcester and make a proper effort to reach as many parents as possible who will be deeply worried by this decision. They owe us that at least.”