DOZENS of campaigners staged a protest outside Redditch Town Hall on Monday to highlight their support to the Alexandra Hospital.

Organised by Save the Alex Campaign, the mass gathering aimed to ensure councillors knew the public's views prior to a vote on a cross party motion following the recent downgrades at the hospital.

One protester Michelle Brewer, who found out the maternity would close just three weeks before her baby was born, said: "I feel really strongly about this. I cannot believe the cuts.

"I feel sorry for everybody all towns should have an A&E, maternity and a paediatrics."

Redditch Advertiser:

Save The Alex campaigners outside Redditch Town Hall on Monday, July 25.

Redditch Advertiser:

A clipping from the Advertiser in 1982.

Speaking before the meeting, Town Mayor Joe Baker said: "It is nice to see residents come out and show solidarity.

"We always appreciate the support of members of the public."

During the meeting, councillors unanimously voted in favour of the motion proposed by Councillor Bill Hartnett and seconded by Councillor Juliet Brunner, calling on health bosses to host a series of public consultation events and the chair of Worcester Acute Hospital and Redditch and Bromsgrove CCG chief operating officer attend the previously agreed Redditch Borough Council's Health Commission to address concerns.

They also agreed to write to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the women and children's trusts in Birmingham to ask their views on the ongoing Alex saga.

Speaking during the meeting, council leader Bill Hartnett said: "Whilst the council fully endorses the need for services to be safe we need to be assured as to what has been done to mitigate this decision and that this does not represent the easy option and a further downgrade of services to the people of Redditch and surrounding areas."

It comes after the paediatric department at Redditch's Alex Hospital is set to close with services moved to Worcester.

The move, slammed by Save the Alex Campaign, means sick children will no longer be able to be treated overnight at the Alex.

Instead all in-patient care for children will be carried out at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Described as ‘temporary’ health bosses say they've been forced to make changes because of safety concerns.