Shropshire bus service leader fears for hospitals
The co-ordinator of a community bus service said he is becoming increasingly worried that hospitals in Shropshire are coming under too much pressure.
John Harrison, who runs the North Salop Wheelers, is now calling on North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson to do everything he can to make sure hospitals are well equipped to provide life-saving care.
It comes after a Shropshire consultant warned hospitals are at breaking point and figures revealed almost 500 people visited the county's two A&E departments over two days recently.
In a letter to Mr Paterson, Mr Harrison said: "I am seriously disturbed by the way Jeremy Hunt is managing – or not – the NHS because I have always counted on the NHS to care for me and my loved ones. But I'm increasingly worried that hospitals near me are coming under too much pressure.
"A new investigation has found that hospitals near us, in Whixall, are already struggling to provide adequate patient care and are facing new cuts and closures. I'm very concerned about how this will affect patient care when hospitals are already dealing with huge challenges.
"My wife Jackie was recently admitted to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and whilst I will stand no criticism of the attention she received, I can confirm that one could see the pressure was beginning to have a detrimental affect generally."
He added: "As my MP can you please do everything you can to make sure our hospitals are equipped to provide life-saving care?" Mr Harrison has also warned he could be forced to move away from Shropshire to ensure his wife receives better healthcare.
"You should be very aware that for 14 years I have been the lead in your constituency's local bus services. During that period no one has even come close to helping me manage the running and co-ordination.
"I think I am safe in saying that if I were forced to move away NS Wheelers would cease to be fairly rapidly, leaving many of your voters significantly disadvantaged. Consequently I am asking you to use any influence you may have to promote the prompt and fair treatment of the health services for the people of your constituency," he added.
Mr Paterson said a successful reorganisation of hospital services could bring up to £300 million of investment into the county's NHS over the coming years, but warned a final decision on accident and emergency care needs to be made as soon as possible.
