Plans to outsource the running of community hospitals and nursing services in an attempt to improve standards in the county have been revealed to Shropshire health workers.

National Health Service staff from across the region gathered at Bridgnorth Community Hospital yesterday in order to hear the latest proposals surrounding the future of community health care in Shropshire.

The county’s four main community hospitals and district nursing services could be taken over by another health body in the shake-up, but unions say the service should remain under local NHS control wherever possible.

The Department of Health has asked all primary care trusts to look at the options for the future management of their directly provided community health services.

Lianne Brooks, of health union Unison, said the priority was to provide a more efficient and cost-effective service to patients and continue to safeguard the jobs of staff.

“We realise changes need to be made but our preferred option is for the services to remain locally managed. This should always be the first choice,” added Ms Brooks. “You hear words like privatisation bandied about, but that’s not correct. Everyone involved in the process wants patients to have the best care and ensure staff are happy.”

Paul Draycott, director of organisational development and workforce at Shropshire County PCT, said the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, a new organisation formed from a collaboration of the current NHS community services provider staff and GPs and South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust had shown an interest in running the PCT’s directly provided services.

“This is not about a change to frontline services, and the PCT will continue to own all of the community hospitals in the county,” he said.

“What will change is which health organisation employs the staff and manages the NHS services. All current community services staff will be transferred to any new provider on their current terms and conditions of employment, which will be legally protected.” Meetings were being held but no decisions had been made, he added.

By Brett Gibbons