Work to start on urgent care plan for Telford's Princess Royal Hospital

A £1m capital investment has been secured by Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) to remodel the current A&E waiting area at the hospital in Telford.

A report to Telford and Wrekin clinical commissioning group's primary care committee says the work will be carried out in stages to reduce the impact on patients.

An interim urgent care service, provided by Shropdoc, was set up in the old clinic F area of Princess Royal Hospital at the end of October.

It consists of a reception desk, small waiting area and three clinical rooms.

The service is for patients, over the age of six months, with minor injuries and illnesses such as allergies, eye infections, burns and scalds.

The CCG's primary care committee met yesterday when Fran Beck, executive lead for commissioning, said the numbers of patients using the service had been much less than anticipated.

According to the report, the main issue is the process being used to triage patients, which is resulting in higher than expected numbers being sent to A&E rather than the urgent care service.

However, it continues: "The construction phase of the extension to the existing emergency department waiting area is due to commence shortly and, in conjunction with a change in the triaging process, should help to catalyse the shift from current, entrenched behaviour to a more effective urgent care centre.

"The building plans for the remodelling of the current emergency department waiting area have now been agreed and building works are due to start imminently, with a view to having all works completed by March 31.

"The construction will be carried out in stages to reduce the impact on patients.

"Once the construction has been completed, the urgent care centre will relocate from its current location to the new facilities at the front of the existing emergency department.

"SaTH will be carrying out a procurement exercise with a view to providing the long-term service from April 1." Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust said the move, which would bring PRH closer in line with Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, was an effort to invest in its current facilities.

It comes as the controversial Future Fit process continues, with NHS England yet to announce whether public consultation on the long-term plans for the county's healthcare can finally begin.