Wednesday, 10 July 2013

Redditch to the Royal

Rebecca Blake, Labour's Parliamentary spokesperson said "When decision makers propose A&E and Maternity Services will no longer be available at the Alex they are condemning tens of thousands of people to supposedly travel to Worcester.  I want to demonstrate to them the difficulties in accessing Worcester Royal from Redditch".

If A&E and Maternity were closed at the Alex, people from Redditch and the surrounding areas are left with the real prospect of making their way to Worcester for the care they need.  To highlight how difficult this will be, Rebecca Blake challenged herself, her Labour Council colleagues and a group of hospital campaigners to use five different forms of transport to get from 'Redditch to the Royal'.

Sixteen people set off from the Alex at 11am to see how long it would take and how much it would cost  from 'Redditch to the Royal'.

Rebecca said "My team travelled by bus, while others travelled by car, train, taxi and bike.  From the Alex Hospital to Worcester Royal it was a long four hours and three buses.  I cannot imagine how stressful that would be if you were trying to get to someone who was poorly or you were heavily pregnant and not forgetting the three to four hour journey home that people without their own transport would have to make.

"Carol Pearce, pensioner from Woodrow, who is disabled did come along and found the direct bus had already left at 9.17 that morning and the next one was not until Monday morning!  It speaks volumes that pensioners and disabled people said they wanted to join us on the journey couldn't manage the ordeal.

"I suggest health bosses try the journey on public transport themselves, however just in case they do not have time I will present our video diary to them for their consideration before they close bread and butter services at the Alex and move them to Worcester".

Cllr Bill Hartnett travelling by taxi said "The final taxi fare was £26.48 for one way – I thought that is about what I spend on a weeks shopping bill. The journey took 41 minutes, Imran the Taxi driver was very efficient, however, who could afford attending regular appointments or visiting family or friends in Worcester Royal for £52.96 return?"

Redditch to the Royal
 

 


Redditch to the Royal - Redditch Standard    Redditch to the Royal - Redditch Advertiser


 

 

 

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