PROTESTERS fear the closure of the town maternity ward could be the difference between life and death for mothers to be in Redditch.
Banners were flying high outside the Alexandra Hospital on Thursday as Save The Alex cried out for the decision to close the Maternity Unit to be reversed as Neal Stote gave a tearful speech accusing the board of ‘ripping the heart out of Redditch’.
Expectant mothers were concerned they would not have the time or the means to get to Worcester, Warwick or Birmingham.
Nikki Wnuk said: “I had my two children here and the first was really scary. If this hospital wasn’t here and it happened now I dread to think what would happen.
“I was planning to have another child but now I’m too scared.”
She was one of many concerned the A&E department would be next.
“The time it takes to get from Redditch to Worcester could be the difference between life or death especially if you have a pregnancy with complications”
Helen Grant said: “I had my children here and had lots of problems and the midwives were brilliant.
“What the board have done here is just wrong and we should stand up and say no.
“If they can do it here they will do it all over the country.”
Others feared imminent roadworks throughout the M5 and M42 would make a journey to the other three hospitals almost impossible for mothers in labour.
Emma Eden said: “I’m seven months pregnant and planned to have my baby here.
“I had my consultation here just the other day and they wouldn’t answer any of my questions about what was going on.
“I can’t enjoy the rest of my pregnancy anymore because I am just terrified.
“I had so many problems with my last child I’m scared what will happen now this has closed.”
