Petition launched for new A&E department at Solihull Hospital
It's after a local MP wrote to the health secretary.
People in Solihull can now have their say - after a petition's been launched to restore an A&E department at Solihull Hospital.
MP for Meriden Saqib Bhatti's written to the health secretary Victoria Atkins stressing the need for one - because the current, closest A&E unit is over an hour away for some - in Heartlands or Warwick Hospital.
He's hoping to meet with the Department for Health and Social Care to discuss the next steps for his campaign "A&E for Solihull."
In his letter to Victoria Atkins, he wrote:
"With a population of over 216,000, there is no reason for residents in the Solihull borough to be sent to other areas to access A&E services.
"With new housing planned for the borough this will become even more necessary as our population increases. Over 40% of residents are over 50 years old and with an ageing population, we must ensure more convenient access to healthcare.
"For this reason, I am now launching a campaign, “A&E for Solihull” to implement A&E services in the Solihull borough. I am confident that my campaign will garner significant local support as I know the strength of feeling on this issue.
"I am also aware that the Leader of Solihull Council has also expressed a need for more resources in our health system to better serve the needs of our borough."
With an ageing population and new housing planned - Solihull Council's also expressed a need for more health resources in the area.
MP Saqib Bhatti's told us - he's confident locals will support his campaign.
"For me, it's clear after talking to residents that an A&E is needed. It will mean, of course, more ambulances on the road, it means better services.
"So I have written to the heath secretary to see how we can make this a viable option and what the feasibility of this is.
"It also means it'll take pressure off Heartlands hospital or Warwick. And it means that residents will get a better service.
"I'm confident with the fact that the population is growing and the demand will grow that this is going to happen sooner or later."