Minister to hear views on Shropshire NHS shake-up
Monday 31st October 2011, 1:55PM GMT.
Health Minister Andrew Lansley is to visit Shrewsbury to run the rule over a controversial £35 million shake-up of health services in the county.
Mr Lansley MP has vowed to listen to concerns over the plans by the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.
Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski said the government minister was aware of the strength of feeling in the area after a petition with 35,000 signatures was presented to Parliament in March.
Mr Kawczynski said he had received a letter from Mr Lansley in which he agreed to visit Shrewsbury to listen to campaigners. His office was now trying to arrange the trip for January.
Mr Kawczynski said: “Obviously he understands the concerns I have raised with him personally and privately in meetings with him and in Parliamentary debates.
“I hope that the Secretary of State can certainly get a first-hand account of the concerns and intervene.”
Under the shake-up, women and children’s services would be downgraded at the RSH but it would become the main surgical centre in the county. Telford PRH would take on consultant maternity and neonatal and paediatric units.
Adam Cairns, chief executive of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, says he believes the changes would help ensure the long-term future of hospital services.
Mr Kawczynski has sent a letter to Mr Lansley explaining the concerns about the proposed changes.
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This is wrong, i think it should stay as it is.
In April this year (2011) I gave birth to my son in shrewsbury and was disgusted in the level of support on the maternity ward but when i transferred to Telford, the staff couldnt be more helpful and do enough to help out.
The meals in Telford are actually hot aswel.
I was re-admitted to Shrewsbury 7days later, i asked for a pillow when i got there at about 4pm as there wasnt one on the bed and eventually got one at around 5am after askeing several different staff members.
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