Graham Brady, MP for Altrincham & Sale West, has met with Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to discuss the “absurd” decision to overlook Wythenshawe Hospital for specialist hospital status.
Brady had what he said was a “constructive” meeting at the Department of Health in Whitehall this morning, alongside Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, and Wythenshawe & Sale East MP Mike Kane.
They had requested the meeting in the wake of the outcome of the Healthier Together review last week, which had seen Wythenshawe downgraded and Stepping Hill in Stockport named a “super hospital” alongside Manchester Royal Infirmary, Salford Royal and Royal Oldham.
Below: Local MP Graham Brady
The decision would see emergency surgery no longer provided at Wythenshawe, with patients instead having to travel to Manchester Royal Infirmary.
Brady said: “We had a constructive meeting; he asked us to write a formal letter setting out our concerns and we pressed the case that it is absurd to decide the future of hospital services without considering mortality rates, quality and safety.
“On any of these grounds, Wythenshawe would have been chosen. It is also essential to maintain a major trauma centre at Wythenshawe, so close to Manchester Airport.”
Meanwhile, a petition calling for the decision to be reversed has already attracted around 2,500 signatures.
