1,700 names on petition to save A&E at Telford hospital
An online petition launched to fight the possible closure of Telford's accident and emergency department has attracted almost 1,700 signatures.
It comes after leaked papers revealed Royal Shrewsbury Hospital is likely to be put forward as the preferred site to house Shropshire's only A&E in the future.
The £28 million Women and Children's Centre, which opened almost two years ago at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital, could also move to Shrewsbury – although the Future Fit review process has been halted for at least a month because of a legal threat by Telford & Wrekin Council.
A petition calling for PRH to keep its A&E service and Women and Children's Centre has been launched online by Ildi Berry, of Randlay, Telford.
It reads: "I urge people to get behind PRH and back our campaign so that we can make the voice of people for whom the PRH is their hospital clearly heard."
"I am urging our two MPs to join us in the fight for the future of our hospital."
Ms Berry was among 500 people who took part in a protest march against the plan earlier this month.
She said the signatures will be added to those being collected by the Defend Our NHS group and Telford & Wrekin Council so that supporters can speak with one voice over the issue.
See the petition at www.change.org/p/shrewsbury-telford-nhs-trust-telford-prh-shrewsbury-keep-our-a-e-departments-mother-baby-unit
