Shropshire Star readers have say on claims that Telford A&E is to close

The claims, which have not been confirmed, came yesterday as the Future Fit review of health services moves to a critical stage.

The Defend Our NHS group says it has received information that A&E will close at PRH and a single department for the county created at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

The Women's and Children's Centre, opened with a fanfare by the Princess Royal in 2014, will also be moved to Shrewsbury.

Here is what you our readers said:

Donna Marie: "I actually can't believe this. My brother would have died in a horrid motor bike accident nine years ago if it hadn't been for the Princess Royal Hospital, as would my dad when he had a heart attack. The Government is making a huge mistake and they are putting so many lives at risk by doing this. Not everyone can get to Shrewsbury, what about the youngsters who break their arms or legs, they are in a lot of pain and have to travel a extra 18 miles or so. Think again Government, its all about funding, this is about saving lives and giving care to the people of Telford."

Michelle Welch: "Both A&Es should stay open, people need to be able to get them quickly. People's lives are at risk. I really don't think it is about anyone being selfish and I certainly don't think that Wolverhampton is a stones throw away. Keep them all open. The ambulance service is stretched enough, it will take longer to get an ambulance. I would feel the same way if Shrewsbury was closed and people would need to travel to Telford."

Christine Pearson: "Instead of being selfish about having to travel a few miles further to get to Shrewsbury, consider the people who have to travel at least 30 miles along minor, B and A roads to get to their nearest A&E. Shrewsbury serves Mid Wales as well as parts of Shropshire.

"I understand there is an A&E in Wolverhampton which is only a stone's throw from Telford, along motorways and major A roads."

Richard Corbett: "I was involved in a serious car accident in 1993, luckily it was almost outside the Princess Royal Hospital so, thankfully, I survived it thanks to the A&E being so close, I don't think I would have still been here now if I'd have to have been transported over to Shrewsbury, we need both the A&E departments."

Luke-Stephen Pearson: "If there's any risk of anyone dying due to travel times from Telford or Shrewsbury then they need to keep both, otherwise they're not keeping our best interests. Maybe someone needs to start a petition to keep both – I'm sure plenty from Telford and Shrewsbury will sign."

Dave Robinson:"I think it's a disgrace that people's lives are put at risk for either hospitals to close. A good 40 minutes to Wolverhampton, 25 to 30 minutes to Shrewsbury is the difference between life and death. "Even one death being avoided is worth the cost both A&E departments being kept open.

"I know one things for sure and that'll be the shortness of ambulances. I do not think either site should be chosen over the other, what I do begrudge is all the millions spent on the mother and baby unit, just for that to be wasted and moved."

Christopher Cleobury: "It's a backwards step for Telford and one which will cost lives. When I started at TCAT back in 1984 we were all warned that if we had an accident it could take an hour to get to A&E in Shrewsbury, more if it was a Friday in summer. Now I know that was before the A5 bypass but the sooner you get a casualty to hospital the better their chances of survival or recovery."

Charlotte Allen: "What about people who can't drive or are skint and haven't got the money to get there? I can see a lot more people using 999 when it's not actually needed."

Lesley Ellis: "Both A&Es should be kept open, listen to us the people, it's want we want."

We also ran a poll asking people if they would support the changes in this form if they would go ahead. Over 1,300 voted and the results was a resounding no.

We went out and asked people in Wellington what they thought: