Mid Wales residents urged to have say in health survey

The review has been open to people in Shropshire for some time, however people in Powys are only just getting the chance to have their say if they have used the service, since it moved to Telford.

The answers to the survey will make part of the Future Fit work into Shropshire Hospitals, which has been on going for over threee years.

Health campaigner and county councillor Joy Jones said: "There have only given us a very short time to make our views known from Mid Wales as it closes by June 30 but it has been running in Shropshire for a while sadly we haven't been asked until now, last minute again.

"It is extremely important that anyone who has used any of the services such as maternity, neonatal and paediatrics fill in the survey as it will help with the future fit work.

"One option from Future Fit is that Shrewsbury Hospital should be the main Emergency Centre for the area. This would mean Shrewsbury Hospital would have Consultant Maternity, Neonatal and Paediatrics which means it moving from Telford to Shrewsbury."

Councillor Jones is urging people to complete the survey by June 30, by going to www.elesurvey.co.uk/f/614394/118c.

Alternatively there will be visiting drop in sessions in Welshpool Library on Monday June 26 from 9.30am to noon and at Newtown Library from 1pm to 4pm.

After being put on hold over the election period, the campaigner is hoping Future Fit will now pick up speed and provide answers on the future of healthcare for Mid Wales.

She added: "It is really important we stay focused on what is going on over the board as its our main healthcare provider along with Powys teaching health board if we loss the chance of getting the emergency care in Shrewsbury it will be detrimental to the health of many Mid Wales residents. People will have to travel to Telford which adds vital minutes onto an urgent journey.

"In an emergency every minute counts and the sooner a patient is treated the better the outcome can b.

"Future Fit has been on hold over the election period but hopefully now it will pick up speed and they will come to a decision as the staff and patients need to know what the future holds for the areas healthcare.

"All this uncertainty is putting staff under tremendous stress and worry and in my opinion it also makes the hospitals undesirable for people looking for employment and long term careers.

"So we need clarity and results for all who are affected. So it time to stop going round and round in circles."

Montgomeryshire AM Russell George also urged residents to get the survey.

He added: "Its highly important that people that have used the Women and Children's Services in Telford complete this survey.

"I’m hugely encouraged that one option put forward by this review is that the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital should in future be the main Emergency Centre for the area. Under this option, the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital would also provide Consultant Maternity, Neonatal and Paediatrics."