Page 6 - RNT-C10

The HISTORY of REDDITCH New Town

However, an undertaking given by the Chairman of the West Midlands Regional Health
Authority that this much needed facility would be established in advance of the opening
of the District General Hospital, was welcomed by all concerned.

Finally in 1986 the new District General Hospital was opened and named the Alexandra
Hospital.

The League Of Friends

For many years a group of volunteers, the League of Friends, supported Smallwood
Hospital in fundraising for equipment and services to help patients. The League of Friends
now turned their attention to the new Alexandra Hospital and, in 2012, they celebrated
25 years of voluntary support running services like the Coffee Shop and ward rounds as
well as funding much needed equipment which was not possible via health budgets.

The Fight Continues

As we know, over recent years several threats
have been made to the services provided at
the Alex, the latest in 2012 threatening the
loss of Accident and Emergency services.
Public campaigns, including a 52,000 name
petition in 2012 have fought off the imminent
threat of the loss of A&E but other services
are still under threat. It seems ironical that
a facility the RDC fought so hard to create had
only a possible life span of 25 years.

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