Naturally when discussing hospital reconfigurations the "Kidderminster Effect" is always mentioned. 
My views are quite clear. 
What happened to us was quite wrong as it was a total robbery of acute hospital services in an attempt to make an unaffordable PFI hospital obtainable. The same severity of downgrading has not happened to any other similar or smaller acute hospital in England since our stand. The most important reason for this is that it is now accepted that a hospital can maintain inpatient medical services even if it loses facilities for emergency surgery. Sadly this was not thought to be possible in 2000.

Also since our stand the Government formed the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) to advise on contested reconfigurations and thus to remove any suspicion of political interference with these decisions.

Unfortunately the Government so far appears to use the IRP only when it suits it. 
My continued message to Government ministers, in radio and TV interviews and letters to the press, is, for any hope of getting communities to accept even less severe downgrading than we experienced they must use the IRP.

I also tell them to stop trying to portray downgrading of an A&E department as a benefit for local people and to accept that it will always be felt as a very severe loss. 
Sympathy for this loss and establishment of doctor-led urgent care centres within emergency care networks will be more acceptable than nurse-led minor injuries units however good the nurses are in these units that help by sorting out those cases that do not need to see a doctor.

Our own battle will of course continue, despite the financial deficits, to improve our own facilities for emergencies in line with those available to every other similar community in the country.

Contrary to hoped for improvements we are continually hearing rumours of further losses to our already depleted hospital. 
First it was services for the supply of medical appliances such as surgical shoes, - - then reduction in pathology services, - - then closure of xray facilities in evenings and at weekends and most recently reduction rather than improvements in urology services. 
I am attempting to establish what is happening and particularly if any further reductions can legally be made without formal consultation and if the financial consequences of changes have been fully, accurately and openly taken into account.

Another blow that I deplore is the loss of through bus services to the hospitals in Redditch and Worcester. 

This is unpardonable as they were promised as a part of the downgrading package to ease the difficulties of patients and staff. 

They are the responsibility of the NHS and the County Council not the bus companies.