Shropshire Star

Campaigners appalled by decision on Shropshire A&E closure

Campaigners say they are "appalled" at a decision to approve initial plans for the closure of one of the Shropshire's A&E departments.

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Princess Royal Hospital, Telford, left, and Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

Gill George, chairwoman of Shropshire Defend Our NHS, said such support for a single emergency centre to cover the county was "incredibly bad news".

The board of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust unanimously voted in support of new plans for a single emergency centre at a meeting last week.

These plans would see two hospital sites – one with an emergency department and each with an urgent care centre, that health bosses hope will see about 70 per cent of cases that currently go to A&E.

Gill George, chairwoman of Shropshire Defend Our NHS

Mrs George said: "It was a key step towards the loss of vital hospital services that most of us are going to need at some stage in our lives. At the meeting we tackled board members with serious, evidence-based contributions. We told them about the national evidence that what they're doing is wrong.

"There was something of a breakthrough as board members listened. It feels like one step forward, one step back. We're appalled that we're moving closer and closer to losing one of our A&Es and most of the services at one of our hospitals. That's going to cost lives if it goes ahead."

She added: "There is a glimmer of hope, though. If they're serious about listening and reviewing the evidence, the case for a different approach is overwhelming.

"What is really needed is positive change to our local NHS – change that starts from patient needs, and that creates services that work together in a collaborative way to meet those needs."

Edwin Borman, medical director at SaTH, said at the meeting:

"We can't sustain two A&E departments currently due to being unable to attract the workforce we need."

The plans will now go before the governing bodies of Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin clinical commissioning groups.

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