Shropshire A&E: Appeal for more co-operation over future of services

Town councils on both sides of the Shropshire/Mid Wales border have joined forces to call for more transparency over the Future Fit consultation where health services should be based and the cost of the process. They hope other councils will join them.

At a meeting of the mayors and clerks of Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Welshpool and Newtown town councils, the four pledged to work together to ensure the best for patients in the region.

They said there should be an equality of health services and access to them for all of Shropshire and into Mid Wales but, at the minimum that A&E services should be retained in Shropshire to reflect the rural and extensive hinterland.

People in Mid Wales look to Shropshire for their nearest hospital services.

David Preston, clerk of Oswestry Town Council, said: "The meeting was concerned at the lack of transparency about announcements from the health bodies.

"Communities are pitting themselves against each other, against the back drop of concerns of process, uncertain timescale and lack of clarity in information."

Those present requested that the Future Fit board outline its proposals and consultation plans for the future of A&E affecting Shropshire and Mid Wales and the impact on the wider health services.

A letter has also been sent to all Shropshire MPs asking them to petition the government for funding to retain both Telford and Shrewsbury A&E facilities, recognising the geographical and transport difficulties presented within such a rural county.

Oswestry mayor, Paul Milner, launched a petition earlier this year in support of retaining A&E services in Shrewsbury.

"I have been overwhelmed by the support and concern from the other town, parish and community councils," he said.

A spokesman for NHS Future Fit said: "We appreciate that people wish to have as much information as possible about NHS Future Fit so they can have an informed say on the way to improve local NHS hospital services for all communities throughout Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales.

"There has been extensive public engagement including a series of pop-up events throughout Shropshire during October, including one in Oswestry last Thursday.

"Two further events take place in Wales next week. They are at Welshpool Market, Broad Street, Welshpool, between 10am and 2pm on Monday and The Monty Club, Broad Street, Newtown, between 11am and 2pm on November 4.

"We would encourage people to come along and find out the facts about the programme."