Fairfield

I was delighted that the Secretary of State for Health chose to visit Bury again and in particular ask to visit the Maternity Department at Fairfield Hospital. He confirmed that he wants a halt to the planned closure of the children’s Services Department whilst a review takes place in line with the new criteria he set out last month a few days after taking office.

Mr Lansley made ir clear that he felt that the views of local residents should be given much more weight along with the views of local doctors. The Health Authorities will now have to reconsider this matter and I trust everyone who wants to see Department kept open will write and let the Authorities know exactly how they feel. I will be talking to interested parties in the days ahead to ensure that we have a co-ordinated approach.