Shropshire Star

Lucy Allan: Telford's Princess Royal Hospital to keep Women and Children's Centre

Telford's £28 million Women and Children's Centre will stay at Princess Royal Hospital, an MP has claimed.

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Lucy Allan said she has received a letter from Simon Wright, chief executive of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, outlining the promise.

It follows a recent meeting between Mr Wright, Ms Allan and Telford & Wrekin councillor Nicola Lowery.

The Future Fit review of health care in the region had suggested the centre would move to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital as part of changes to create a single A&E at the RSH.

But Mr Wright appears to contradict that in a letter to Ms Allan, saying it would stay and would keep most of its current functions.

In it, Mr Wright says the Women and Children's Centre would be retained at PRH and speaks of introducing a specialist centre on the same site, as well as a new 'A&E front end model'.

He says: "We will retain our Women and Children's Centre, delivering ante and post natal care, gynaecology, paediatric assessment, a birthing centre, breast surgery and reconstruction and a women's bleed unit.

"The strategic plan describes a vibrant hospital for both PRH and RSH that focuses on the unique health needs of each community.

"We wish to introduce a specialist centre on the PRH site and a new A&E front end model. There are additional new services proposed at PRH relating to planned care."

  • MORE: Decision is needed on future of Shropshire hospitals, says chief executive

The Future Fit decision-making process about the long-term future of hospital services in Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire is currently being independently reviewed.

Telford & Wrekin Council threatened legal action to retain A&E services. It was also critical of plans to move the Women and Children's Centre just a couple of years after it was opened by the Princess Royal.

Ms Allan said: "I have this week received assurances that the Women and Children's Centre will remain at PRH and that Telford will have a walk-in accident and emergency department, as well as a range of additional new services. The council has also received these same assurances. This is all welcome."

Councillor Lowery said she was "encouraged", adding: "SaTH has proposed to retain the Women and Children's Centre delivering breast surgery and reconstruction, birthing centre, ante natal and post natal care, gynaecology, paediatric assessment and a women's bleed unit.

"Only the specialist emergency care would need to move and co-locate with ITU. This is proposed to represent seven out of 10 contacts and treatments remaining at PRH alongside all of the new services arriving."

SaTH was unavailable for comment.

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