Keetch Calls For West Mercia Health Authority To Be Considered

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 10th Sep 2001

A group of West Midland MP's are calling on the Government to include a new "West Mercia" Health Authority as one of the four options for Health Service reorganisation in the Midlands.

Hereford's MP Paul Keetch has written to the Health Secretary Alan Milburn asking for the option to be considered. Ludlow MP Matthew Green and Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor, have already supported the call, and it is hoped that other MP's in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire will support them.

"It is ludicrous that this option hasn't been included for consideration in the consultation the Government announced", said Mr Keetch.

"I believe that the NHS requires another reorganisation like it needs a hole in the head. But if Labour insist on a shake up, at least the most obvious set up should be considered."

"In three of the four options, including the so called preferred option, Herefordshire and Worcestershire join with Warwickshire and Coventry. In the other option, Herefordshire and Worcestershire joins Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull Walsall and Wolverhampton. If they can consider such a crazy option as this, why can't West Mercia be considered.

"It seems that the Government have already made up their minds. If that is the case why waste money on this consultation procedure. If they really want to consult, let us hear the case for a West Mercia Health "

"Authority."

"In none of the four options are the three counties linked - yet the people of Herefordshire Shropshire and Worcestershire are already linked by a joint Police force. Surely the option of a joint Health Authority should be looked at.

"It is important the people feel connected to the Regional bodies the Government create. By linking rural Herefordshire and Worcestershire to Coventry, but not considering Shropshire, people will believe that this is a Government stitch up."

"I hope that other MP's will join our call for a West Mercia Health Authority to be considered."