South Shropshire hospital decision delayed

A decision on the future of a £27m hospital project in south Shropshire has been delayed, it emerged today.

Plans to build a hospital and doctors surgeries at Ludlow's Eco Business Park were due to be discussed by representatives of Shropshire Primary Care Trust with the West Midlands Strategic Health Authority on Tuesday.

But Simon Kenton, director of joint commissioning for Shropshire PCT, said: "Due to more work and discussions that needed completing around the plans for a new hospital in Ludlow, the proposal to procure development through a third party will now be taken to the Strategic Health Authority in September.

"Once the SHA has considered these proposals, the PCT will be able to comment further."

Mathew James, spokes-man for the PCT, stressed the delay was due to details relating to the project rather than anything to do with government spending cuts.

Asked whether the funding for the scheme was still available, he said the PCT would be able to comment further after the September meeting.

Peter Corfield, chairman of Ludlow Hospital League of Friends, said: "We are concerned if this leads to further delay, so we will be in touch with the PCT to establish what the circumstances are."