The consultation on the future of services at Shropshire’s two main hospitals is the last chance to save key facilities, it was claimed today.

Shropshire Council leader Keith Barrow and his Telford counterpart Andrew Eade said if the consultation – which is due to end in mid-March – rejected the proposals, it was likely a number of key services would be lost at the Royal Shrewsbury or Princess Royal Hospitals.

Meanwhile, there are calls from Bishop’s Castle Town Council for maternity services at Shrewsbury to be moved to new premises after claims operations had to be carried out in corridors and drains were leaking sewage.

Councillor St John Penney told members last night during a debate on the proposals: “The current maternity unit is insufficient. They only have one theatre and in an emergency they are operating in corridors.

“It’s scandalously bad because drains from the main hospital go under the building and there’s sewage on the floor in the basement.”

Councillor Eade said at stake in the consultation was the retention of both acute hospitals and services for the whole of Shropshire.

“We do not have the luxury of starting from scratch and have to be honest. You cannot please every possible interest,” he said.

“We cannot afford go back to arguments based on parochial boundaries and interests. It’s not a Shrewsbury versus Telford issue. It is, though, about saving Shropshire’s hospitals.

“The views of local people have helped to shape the proposals that have come forward. These may not be perfect, but it is a solution that has been long debated and retains services equitably within Shropshire for the benefit of all.”

Councillor Barrow said: “If we fail to find a sensible way forward, we risk losing for ever services in the county to other more specialised hospitals outside this area.”

The councils are urging people to have their say by attending a consultation meeting at Craven Arms community centre on February 9, Shrewsbury Town FC on February 11, and the Holiday Inn, Telford on February 16. All start at 7pm.

By Health Correspondent Dave Morris