Shropshire Star

Future Fit: Shake-up still has long way to go, says health campaigner

A health campaigner is warning that the reorganisation of Shropshire's hospital services has still got a long way to run.

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Joy Jones, county councillor for Newtown and also leader of the town's health forum, says that despite the long-awaited recommendation being made, a final decision is still months away.

NHS bosses in the region revealed last week that they want to create a single A&E department at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. Telford's Princess Royal Hospital would see its A&E downgraded to a 24-hour urgent care centre.

But Councillor Jones said there are still months of debate ahead.

"I want to make sure everyone realises that this isn't the end and this isn't a decision, it's a recommendation. I welcome the recommendation as the A&E being sited at Shrewsbury is better for patients in mid-Wales, but I want to encourage as many people as possible to take part in the public consultation to ensure that their health needs are taken into account and their voices are heard. They can't rely on anyone else to do it for them. Now's their chance to be heard," she said.

NHS Future Fit bosses also want to see a new women and children's unit at Shrewsbury which would mean the relocation of the £28 million women and children's centre at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital just two years after it opened.

Under the plans most routine surgery would move from Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to the PRH.

Councillor Jones said that despite the recommendation being a breakthrough in the slow process there were no winners.

"For patients in mid-Wales, the county's only A&E being located in Telford would have been detrimental, it would mean an extra 20 minutes to travel in a crisis but on the other side of things, planned surgery will prove tough for those living in Mid Wales too," she said.

Councillor Jones is now calling on Powys Teaching Health Board to look into offering more planned surgery for patients in Mid Wales.

She said: "Provisions need to be stepped up for patients in Montgomeryshire, planned surgery is a particularly difficult issue especially for those without transport and for relatives without transport.

"A really big shout is needed for Powys health board to look to start providing more planned surgery locally.

"This is only the start of a decision and people need to be aware of that, especially those living in mid-Wales whose voices need to be as loud as those in Telford fighting for a different outcome.

"After years of waiting, we're moving forward and it could mean the start of things taking shape and us being able to say that the approach to our local health service is a fresh one and second to none," she said.

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