A FINAL push is being made for supporters of Redditch's Alexandra Hospital to join a "Save Our Services" rally and march.

With just over two weeks to go, campaigners are urging everyone who cares about the fate of their local hospital to support the appeal which aims to reinforce the message to health chiefs as well as whoever is elected on May 7, that their first job is to save the Alex Hospital.

The rally, organised by the Save the Alex Campaign, aims to address several areas of concerns including the resignation of four accident and emergency consultants leading to fears that the Alex could be left without a safe A&E department.

In 2012, more than 55,000 members of the public signed a petition rejecting any plans for the Alex to lose its A&E and maternity services and campaigners believe these services are as much at risk today as they were three years ago. If the services are lost, people from Redditch and Bromsgrove would be forced to receive treatment at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester.

Three years on from the launch of a services review, now entitled the Future of Acute Hospital Services in Worcestershire and previously called the Joint Service Review (JSR), and the future of the hospital’s A&E and maternity services still hang in the balance. The review has been besieged by internal NHS wrangling and delays.

NHS England has now refused to release the review's findings sighting election purdah - the pre-election shutdown period - as the reason.

But Save the Alex has questioned the delay and described those it claims are blocking the report’s release as “faceless bureaucrats”.

Campaign leader Neal Stote said: “We are confident there will be enough support. The campaign is three years in now, a lot of people know about us and we have had interest from groups across the area. We are confident it is going to be a success.

“We have got a hospital which deals with about 42,000 patients. If you have used it you know how valuable it is and if you haven’t used it you never know when you would need that hospital.

“Worcester is difficult to get to with bus transport and Birmingham said they couldn’t cope.”

The rally will be apolitical as the organisers’ state people’s health is more important than politics, but parliamentary candidates are invited to set up pitches around the band stand area so the public can ask them directly what they will do for the Alex should they be elected.

Hundreds of people are already expected to turn out for the event which will feature a family-orientated contest to find the best banner with displays of local music and dance talent.

People taking part in the event are asked to gather on May 2 at Redditch Town Hall for 11am.

For more information or to get involved, email neal@savethealex.co.uk.