HEALTH Secretary Alan Johnson shoulders a huge weight now that he has made a decision vehemently opposed by many medics and patients.
He has approved hugely controversial proposals to move emergency surgery services from Birmingham's City Hospital to Sandwell despite warnings by one campaigner that it will cost lives.
There can be no argument over the procedures that led to Mr Johnson making the decision.
The Birmingham Mail urged Sandwell and West Birmingham Trust to extend the consultation period and that happened.
We urged that the blueprint should be scrutinised at the highest level and, again, that has happened.
Now we can only hope that the panel of experts that studied the trust's plans did so thoroughly and paid greater regard to the wellbeing of patients than it did to any financial gains that may flow from this move.
Mr Johnson, following the recommendations of the expert panel, has insisted on tweaking the plans.
But these are fundamentally minor changes and the fact remains that from the end of next year seriously ill Birmingham patients requiring emergency operations will have to be ferried to Sandwell rather than treated nearer to home.
Protesters claim this extra 15 minute journey will endanger the lives of patients. Supporters argue otherwise.
Today, as he sits at his ministerial desk far away from those who will be affected by his decision, Mr Johnson must hope that he has got it right.
He should be under no illusion.
The Birmingham Mail Alan Johnsonwill closely watch what is happening and if this plan proves to be a catastrophe, we will say so. Loudly.
The stakes could hardly be higher, Mr Johnson. And we must all pray that patients do not pay the price.
Comments (1)
This is happeneing all over the country. Where |I live in West Sussex A+E are threatened with closure also. patients will be forced to travel an extra 30 or so miles for emergency treatment if services in Chichester or Worthing are 'downgraded'.
This is all about money and not about quality of care or saving lives. Why cant the National press get together and protest TOGETHER. These crooked and immoral politicians need to know that people in this country DO care about the way we are being treated, we just dont have the voice.
Posted by Gerry Gardner | January 3, 2008 8:04 AM
Posted on January 3, 2008 08:04