Shropshire Star

Call for Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to step in over Shropshire A&E row

Councillors in Telford have united to call for Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt to intervene and end uncertainty over the future of accident and emergency services in the town.

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As part of the Future Fit consultation to shape the direction of health services in the county, clinicians have expressed a preference for a single Shropshire emergency care centre to deal with life-threatening injuries.

No decision has yet been made on whether that would be at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital, the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital or on a brand new site somewhere between the two.

If it is a new site, then "urgent care centres" would be set up at the two county hospitals to treat walk-in patients for non-life-threatening injuries such as fractures.

A motion was put forward by Telford & Wrekin Council deputy leader Councillor Richard Overton at a meeting last night calling for Mr Hunt – who pledged A&E would remain on both sites on a visit to the county earlier this year – to intervene. It received unanimous backing as councillors agreed to put party politics aside and unite behind the hospital.

The motion read: "This council notes with great concern proposals that would see one Accident and Emergency Centre for Telford, Shropshire and Mid Wales becoming 'ambulance only' with so called walk-in patients diverted to an 'urgent care centre'.

"Telford & Wrekin Council again calls for a full 24-hour Accident and Emergency service at our Princess Royal Hospital and urges the Secretary of State to intervene in this process that is bringing so much uncertainty to our residents."

Councillor Overton added: "Telford is a growing town, it is the economic powerhouse of the county. We should not let Future Fit take anything away from what we have in Telford.

Tory opposition leader Councillor Andrew Eade also pledged his support.

"Whatever it takes we will fight to keep it," he said.

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