Shropshire Star

NHS chiefs say Shrewsbury Rainbow Unit decision difficult

Health chiefs today described their decision to replace a Shropshire children's cancer unit with a clinical training centre as 'very difficult'.

Published

The board of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust last week backed proposals to turn the Rainbow Unit at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital into a clinical training centre for its doctors and nurses.

The controversial decision comes after the unit, partly paid for with more than £800,000 raised by the people of Shropshire and Mid Wales, was built in 2004.

It means in 2014 the purpose-built unit will become a training centre once children's cancer services switch to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford as part of a £35 million hospitals shake-up in the county.

Cathy Smith, deputy centre chief for women and children's and head of midwifery, said: "We would like to thank everyone who has taken part in our legacy task group to help decide on the future use of the Rainbow Unit, following the move of children's cancer services to Telford in 2014.

"The trust acknowledges this has been a very difficult decision and that there is still great sadness over the loss of the unit.

"By becoming a centre where our doctors and nurses can be trained to help care for children in the future, this will continue the legacy of the Rainbow Unit and build on the fantastic care our staff have provided to children with cancer from across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales.

"Meanwhile we are to continuing to work with patients, families and staff to ensure that the new children's cancer unit will provide even better facilities in which to continue this fantastic care."

An arts panel has been set up to decide on artwork based at the RSH to serve as a lasting reminder and thank you to the Rainbow Unit.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.