Future Fit: One A&E in Shropshire the 'right decision' says head of Telford health board
The head of a Telford health board has insisted having one A&E department serving the whole of Shropshire is the "right decision for our area."
Dr Jo Leahy spoke after a joint meeting of Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Groups threw plans for the future for the county's two hospitals into turmoil when they failed to agree on whether to back the plans.
While Telford & Wrekin CCG agreed to support the strategic outline case for Future Fit, which outlines how hospital services will work in the county in future, Shropshire CCG said they could not support the plans, as they had lost support from county GPs.
The split between the groups has pushed the, already much delayed, Future Fit process back further still.
But today, Dr Jo Leahy, Chair of Telford and Wrekin CCG, said she felt the plans, which would lead to the closure of one of the county's two A&E departments, offered the best option for the borough.
She said: "We want to give patients the best care possible, and after listening to clinicians we know that change is needed.
"Over the past two years we have reviewed evidence and spoken to clinicians who are in agreement that a centralised emergency department supported by two urgent care centres in Shrewsbury and Telford & Wrekin is the right decision for our area.
"However, I would like to stress that the strategic outline case is only the first stage of a two year process.
"No decisions have been made on the future model, and all partners are in agreement that detailed analysis should be undertaken to help us make an informed decision based on further clinical and patient engagement.
"As a local GP an important element of this analysis is reviewing the potential impact of any change on other parts of the system, including GP services. As a health system we have committed to undertaking this work over the coming months, to reassure clinicians and patients that the right services and resources are designed in the community alongside any decisions on hospital services.
"We recognise that doing nothing is not an option and we will work with Shropshire CCG and the Hospital Trust to agree a way forward, whilst listening to GPs and patients."
Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski this week said plans to shut one of Shropshire's A&E departments should be reconsidered and Future Fit scrapped.
The latest delay in any decision over the Future Fit programme has also been criticised by Telford MP, Lucy Allan, and Wrekin MP, Mark Pritchard.
Mrs Allan said: "The future of emergency care is currently the number one issue facing Telford and I am determined to see a positive outcome reached.
"I am however becoming increasingly concerned by the Future Fit process. The longer it drags on the greater impact this has on my constituents and Shropshire as a whole. Further delays to the process are not acceptable and I hope that the CCGs and Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust can resolve the issues that some clinicians have.
"The case for Telford to receive Shropshire's Critical Care Unit is a strong one and it makes sense to site it where it can have the greatest benefit. In Telford there are significant pockets of deprivation, a rapidly growing population and good transport links. In addition Telford is already the home of the excellent £28 million Women and Children's Unit."
Mr Pritchard added: "Public confidence in this process is under huge strain already; further delays are particularly unhelpful."
Groups campaigning against plans to scrap one of the Shropshire's A&E departments today said they hoped the latest delay would signal the end of the Future Fit process.
