Bring back Rugby's A&E

The mum of a teenager who died after waiting 17 minutes for an ambulance has called for Rugby’s A&E services to be restored.

Naomi Rees-Issitt from Rugby lost her son Jamie in 2022 following a cardiac arrest.

The Hospital of St Cross in the town was downgraded almost 30 years ago and currently only has an urgent care centre.

Ms Rees-Issitt wants to know what the Rugby candidates in the upcoming general election will do to improve A&E services in the town.

She spoke to BBC political reporter Joshua Nevett ahead of the election on 4 July.

A spokesperson for University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust said: “We are committed to listening to all feedback from patients and the public to continuously learn and further improve the care we provide.

“Representatives from the Trust have met with Naomi previously and are happy to have further discussions with her around the provision of services at the Hospital of St Cross.

“Our thoughts remain with Jamie’s family and we welcome their campaign to install more defibrillators in and around Rugby.”

The West Midlands Ambulance Service did not comment.