Plans for the reopening of Oswestry’s maternity unit will go to a top level health meeting next week.

Shropshire Primary Care Trust said today it was determined to see maternity services reopened, but it warned the proposals would only be able to go ahead if the costings matched with any funding available.

Proposals will be discussed by the PCT on February 28, just two days before a public meeting in Oswestry.

Campaigner Sue Horsler said matters looked promising, but did not want to get too excited before hearing any firm plans.

The maternity unit at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital closed at the end of January after the hospital’s NHS trust said it no longer met fire safety standards. At the moment anti and post-natal appointments are still being run from the old ward.

Jo Chambers, PCT chief executive, said: “The PCT is determined to see services reopened in Oswestry, subject to tight costings. It is hoped to take firm proposals to the PCT’s finance and estates committee meeting on February 28.”

Owen Paterson, North Shropshire MP, said: “I want some firm proposals to come to the public meeting on March 2. There is funding available for community hospitals and I hope we can tap into this.”