27 July 2007.
Jacqui Smith
welcomes a step up in eye care for Redditch.
Jacqui Smith today welcomed news that there would be an expansion of eye services for Redditch people delivered in Redditch. The news came in an
announcement by the Worcestershire Acute Trust and was confirmed to Jacqui by the Chairman of the Trust, Mr Michael O’Riordan.
Under the plans there will be an increase in cataract surgery in Redditch, better
paediatric eye services at the Alex and an increase in local eye clinics for Redditch patients.
Jacqui said.
“These are good plans for Redditch people and I think that the sooner they are brought in
the better. I know that change in our NHS can worry some people but I have been reassured that these proposals will secure a better service for Redditch patients.
Thanks to the campaign to save eye services at the Alex four years ago and more money from the
government the debate now is how best to expand treatments in Redditch - not what cuts may be made. I know that staff in our hospitals will have to work hard to bring about these changes at the same time as cutting waiting times but our NHS can never stand still
– it must always evolve and modernise. I hope that in the coming year we will all see the benefit of this project.”
The changes have been given the all clear by the Worcestershire PCT and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at County
Hall.
TO CONTACT JACQUI ABOUT THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE EMAIL HER AT smithjj@parliament.uk
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