Shropshire Star

Future Fit health shake-up is a 'farce', says Shrewsbury Town Council leader

The Future Fit process has become a "farce" and is confusing for the public, according to a council leader who says both emergency units should remain open.

Published

Councillor Alan Mosley, leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, has said that a planned town rally has been put on hold because of the current delays in the Future Fit board's recommendation for the county's major hospitals.

Instead Shrewsbury Town Council's annual town meeting, to take place on November 21, will be devoted to NHS issues, with speakers from Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Shropshire Defend Our NHS invited.

Councillor Mosley said the council stands by its position that it is essential for Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to retain its emergency centre. He said: "The whole exercise has turned into something of a farce, starting with the significant underfunding of the NHS as a whole by the current Government.

"The town council's position is that both emergency units are needed in the area and we are adamant that an emergency unit in Shrewsbury is essential given the population it serves in Shropshire and Mid Wales, and the accessibility of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for the residents generally.

"I am disappointed at the whole process which has been confusing for people concerned and this is no way to deal with services that are absolutely critical."

Councillor Mosley said that the decision to put off plans for a rally in Shrewsbury were largely down to the confusion currently surrounding the Future Fit process.

He said: "It is particularly because of recent news about developments in the Future Fit programme and the general confusion around the current situation.

"At the town council meeting we are hoping to have a thorough review and speakers from the CCG while also inviting Shropshire Defend our NHS and other organisations we feel will have a valuable contribution."

A decision on which hospital of Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital Telford would be recommended for the site of an emergency centre was expected last week.

However it has been delayed for a month after Telford & Wrekin Council threatened legal action in the wake of a leak which indicated the Shrewsbury site was favourite to be chosen as the recommended option. The new emergency centre would also be home to the county's women and children's services, which are currently based at Telford.

Shropshire Council has refused to become involved in the tug-of-war over the services, using a statement to reiterate the belief that the services should be based on the "best clinical evidence".

Councillor Lee Chapman, speaking on behalf of the authority, said: "Shropshire Council recognises that there are very experienced clinicians who are striving to ensure that local people have safe and effective health and social care services.

"We therefore continue to have confidence in Future Fit and acknowledge the board's decision this week to defer any recommendations, in order to address the concerns raised by Telford and Wrekin Council."

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.