MP and councillors fear for Fairfield

Reporter: Dave Parton
Date online: 13 July 2010

Bury's Conservative MP and some of the town's councillors fear that not enough provisions are in place at Fairfield Hospital to cope with an influx from the close of Rochdale’s A&E department.

The news broke last week that Rochdale Infirmary will be closed to emergency ambulances between 6pm and 8am from 2 August 2010.

With 70 per cent of ambulances being diverted to Fairfield Hospital they all agree there will be an increased workload for the A&E department there.

Conservative MP for Bury North, David Nuttall said: “Sufficient extra resources will need to be provided to cope with the increase in traffic and patients at the hospital.

“Unless these are in place problems will be caused with increased waiting times, and some people already have to wait a long time.”

Councillor Vic D'Albert, the Health Spokesperson for Bury Liberal Democrats said: "This will put additional pressures on an already busy A&E department in Bury. We need to make sure that Fairfield's A&E gets the support it needs to carry on delivering high quality services for local people.

Richard Baum, Liberal Democrat Councillor for the St Mary’s ward of Bury Council, added: “We need to make sure adequate provision is in place in Bury to ensure people are properly looked after.”

Councillor D’Albert went on to say: “Bury is lucky to have a great hospital at Fairfield and we want to keep it that way.

“I appeal to both Councils to work closely with Pennine Acute Trust to resolve this situation quickly and ensure that patients are well cared for."

Councillor Ann Audin said: “Obviously this will put more pressure at Fairfield and that’s not a good thing, I’m not in favour of the proposal.

“Then, the ambulance trust is a separate issue. There will be more pressure on their staff which they aren’t looking to increase with the big changes this new government is making.

“It could also cause problems for the people of Bury and Rochdale. Everyone should get a fair deal from the health service so provisions will have to be increased to ensure everyone gets the best service they can.”

Ivan Lewis, Labour MP for Bury South, was unavailable to comment.