A DECISION on Greater Manchester's biggest health shake-up in decades is to be delayed, because of an unprecedented public response.

More than 50,000 people responded to the "Making It Better" consultation.

This aims to improve baby, maternity and children's services by reducing the number of hospitals which offer such care. The intention is to concentrate experts in centres of excellence.

Health bosses behind the controversial plans say the huge response rate, thought to be the largest for an English health consultation, means they need an extra three months, until December, to sort through the comments and decide the future of regional maternity services.

Health leaders and politicians say it is crucial the right decision is made, but have raised concerns about the unexpected delay. They say it would prolong uncertainty and concern among staff and patients, who have been told the changes are crucial to tackle staffing problems.

Dr Kailash Chand, regional representative of the British Medical Association, said: "This consultation has been going on a long time. We have been told action is needed to improve safety on the units, so people will be concerned by this news."

Recommendations

The review was launched a year ago because fewer babies were being born and resources were too thinly spread.

But the recommendations mean thousands of expectant mothers and sick children having to travel further to find care.

The delay on the maternity decision will not affect the timing of the Healthy Futures review, a separate reorganisation of hospitals in north east Manchester.

It received 4,500 responses and will report in September. Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said: "I welcome the delay as it shows that at least this vital decision will not be rushed."

The review team has spent é865,000 over the last 12 months gathering opinions from staff and the public at meetings and online. It has also received petitions signed by thousands. The results are being analysed.

Peter Rowe, chief executive of the review, said: "Changes in these services are overdue by more than 30 years and will ultimately affect more than 3m."

Opposition to the plans has been strong. Salford council has threatened legal action if the review takes services away from Hope Hospital.

Campaigners at threatened wards have protested.

The M.E.N.'s sister weekly titles have been fighting closures in their areas with "Hands Off Our Hospital" campaigns.

What do you think of the proposed changes? Have your say.

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