Health Secretary calls for rethink on Wirral vascular services shake-up (From Wirral Globe)

Health Secretary calls for rethink on Wirral vascular services shake-up

4:50pm Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News

The leader of Wirral Council, Phil Davies has welcomed a Government decision to undertake an initial review into the controversial decision to shake-up vascular services in Cheshire and Merseyside.

The move comes following two letters from the council’s health and wellbeing scrutiny committee to Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health, which highlighted concerns about controversial plans to move vascular services out of Wirral to a new centre at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Councillor Davies explained: “I am pleased the Secretary of State has recognised the need to examine the decision to move these excellent, specialist services from Arrowe Park.

“I have been informed that an independent panel will undertake an initial review into the decision and if they believe that a further in-depth review is necessary, we will then have the opportunity to present our case in full.

"I strongly believe that we should do all we can to protect these local services that have helped to save so many lives.”

The Secretary of State has requested that the Independent Reconfiguration Panel report back to him by December 7 with their recommendations on whether a full, detailed review on the decision should take place.

More later...