Council backing for Telford to keep A&E service
Councillors from all parties backed a motion calling for accident and emergency services to be kept in Telford.
Telford and Wrekin council leader Councillor Kuldip Sahota, stated: "This council is committed to campaigning for the retention of a full 24 hour accident and emergency service at the Princess Royal Hospital."
It was passed unanimously at a meeting of the full council apart from those councillors not allowed to take part in the debate because of a conflict of interest with other health roles, who abstained.
The debate was prompted by suggestions from bosses at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust that full services at both the PRH and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital sites might not be sustainable in the future.
Councillor Sahota said Telford and Wrekin was the biggest urban area in the county with the most deprivation, was the fastest growing area and the main county employment and manufacturing centre.
He said: "It's not just in the borough but places like Bridgnorth, Market Drayton, and Shifnal that naturally look to the PRH for their hospital.
"I believe there should be an equal balance of services between the hospitals while maintaining A&E in Telford."
Conservative leader Councillor Andrew Eade said: "This is the latest in a long line of fights, first to secure a hospital then a long battle to retain services.
"With this part of Shropshire set to grow by tens of thousands of people how can anyone seriously consider moving A&E from the PRH?"
Councillor Eade said he was disappointed that the motion had not been tabled on a cross party basis, and other speakers repeated the need for everyone to work together. Councillor Arnold England said: "It was the trade union movement, Labour Party, Conservative Party that worked together to get that hospital.
"If our hospital is under threat we will band together again. The case was made for A&E in Telford many years ago and that case is now stronger."
Councillor Shaun Davies called on the health secretary to intervene to end the speculation about the future of hospital services, and Councillor Nigel Dugmore suggested the Welsh government should help support A&E at Shrewsbury as so many Welsh patients used it.
