NHS in Shropshire special report: How the changes will affect Shrewsbury

The long-running Future Fit review has been focussed on all areas of hospital treatment.

But it is one area more than any other which has grabbed the public attention - the location of the county's senior accident and emergency department.

The matter has become a public tug-of-war between campaigners from both Shrewsbury and Telford seeking to safeguard their future of local hospital.

There are arguments on both sides.

Today, as part of our week-long look at Future Fit, we visit Shrewsbury. Tomorrow, we end our series in Telford.

Politicians in Shropshire's market town have pulled no punches in making their case for the Shrewsbury Royal Hospital to host the county's main A&E.

Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, puts his fears plainly when he says that moving A&E away from Royal Shrewsbury Hospital will put lives at risk.

He also makes the case that the area's older population should be taken into consideration when any decision is made, as well as Shrewsbury's central location.

He said: "Clearly we have a much older population in Shropshire than in Telford, generally speaking. The demographics are different and I think demographics have to be taken into consideration.

"You are more likely to be using hospital services, and A&E if you are a senior citizen.

"There is also the rural aspect. We have many villages which are already a long way away from Shrewsbury and the travelling time for them to access accident and emergency services is already very significant.

"At one stage we found out that from the most extreme location people are having to travel about an hour to get there.

"So to move it to Telford would be wholly unacceptable and would put lives at risk."

Peter Nutting, Shrewsbury Town Councillor for Bowbrook, backed his Conservative colleague's claims over geography.

He said: "I think the starting point has to be everyone has to realise even if the major A&E ends up at Shrewsbury there will still be a main emergency service department at Telford.

"Whichever one it goes to both hospitals will be able to deal with minor injuries and most emergency cases.

"I favour Shrewsbury mainly because of geographic reasons. It is the centre of the county. If you live in the west of the county or Mid Wales it is the only place you can get to.

"If you live in Telford now you have access to PRH, New Cross in Wolverhampton, Kidderminster, from Ludlow Hereford is almost as close but for Shrewsbury and the west of the county there really are no other options."

Councillor Nutting said that despite the public focus on A&E, stroke services are just as important.

He said: "It is not just about A&E, it is the other services that follow as part of a hospital with and accident and emergency unit.

"Heart attack and stroke units, I believe they should be placed here. I also believe we need to be talking far more to Mid Wales to understand their views. We need to think about those people who don't just live in Shrewsbury and Telford, this decision affects a lot more people."

Mr Kawczynski has also been highly critical of the drawn out Future Fit Process and the management of the two year review - a final decision was postponed last month after it emerged that the plans being put forward were not capable of addressing the growing £23 million deficit at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust.

He criticised Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), responsible for organising health services in the county and part of the Future Fit process. It was effectively placed in special measures earlier this month after it was revealed it was millions in debt.

The MP said: "I think one of the biggest problems we have is the CCG and we have had a series of very difficult meetings with them. I think those in charge have to account for why it is that they have overspent to the tune of £15 million, which has put Future Fit on ice as a result of their almost stunning overspend.

"No one seems to be able to give us an explanation as to why financial planning had not been pursued in an appropriate way to foresee financial considerations.

"It is financial mismanagement on an industrial scale that has led to outside bodies having to come in and get a grip."

The Shrewsbury and Atcham MP has also suggested the final decision over the future of the county's hospitals should be taken away from Shropshire CCG and its counterpart in Telford.

He said: "You have to wonder, as a society we have moved away from a model where ministers and civil servants make these decisions, to one where we have devolved it down to a local level – but you have to ask do they have the financial managerial skills to be able to cope and make these decisions and if not, do we give the powers back to Westminster or re-evaluate how they operate?"

Mr Kawczynski said he would be doing what he can to ensure Shrewsbury retains its A&E services.

He said: "I think there is a palpable anger that the CCG has spent £2 million on Future Fit and they have not yet concluded this monumental decision.

"I am interested in protecting and safeguarding A&E services at Shrewsbury, that is my priority.

"We have had these reorganisations, children's services, maternity services, and what we need is real leadership for a creditable plan that can stand the test of time and can achieve the confidence from communities."

One concerned about the placement of A&E department is Suzanne Pyne, 72, from Shrewsbury. She has suffered from bone and throat cancer and has received treatment at a number of hospitals. Her concerns are that the travel times to the PRH will have a health cost for those in dire need.

"If someone lives to the west of Shrewsbury the time it takes for them to get to PRH is going to be far too long," said the retired school teacher.

"For someone in Chirk for example, it would be quicker for them to go to Wrexham Maelor than it would be to go to the PRH. Even for those living just to the south of Shrewsbury, somewhere like Church Stretton, the times are going to be too long for them to get to the emergency department in time.

"Another question that I feel needs addressing is that of rationalisation. If they rationalise the A&E department, what is to follow? What other departments will go the same way? For some people, those undergoing cancer treatment or having dialysis, they have to be at the hospital early as it is. If they have to make an additional journey to PRH this is just going to add to their stress."