Future Fit talks ‘will not be referendum’
The choice of Telford or Shrewsbury for the county's £312 million emergency centre will not be a popularity contest and "may not follow what the public want", according to a council leader.
Councillor Peter Nutting, the Conservative leader of Shropshire Council today issued a call for realism ahead of the start of the Future Fit consultation, warning that it will not be a "referendum" on the public's favourite option.
The comments come as Future Fit prepares to begin a consultation on its options for where the county's major hospital services are based.
Councillor Nutting said that the decision should be led by the county's medical officials, who he says are best placed to choose.
He said: "I would urge all members of the public to take part in the consultation.
"I think there will be two options but I do not think the public should regard this as a referendum. It really will be for the hospital services to make their own mind up. It should be clinically led and we have to accept they may not follow what the public want, but what they will do will be in the best interests of the people of Shropshire."
The Copthorne councillor also praised the work that had been done to secure the funding for the project.
He said: "I am very very pleased that our MPs and health services have got us £312 million to spend on our health services in Shropshire and I hope the matter will be dealt with expediently."
Preferred option
Under the Future Fit plans the most serious emergency cases would only be dealt with at one of either Princess Royal Hospital Telford (PRH), or Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH).
The hospital dealing with emergency treatment would also become the base for women and children's services – currently located at PRH.
Following a protracted local decision-making process, the county's health officials finally decided last December that RSH was the 'preferred option' for the emergency centre and women and children's services.
The decision sparked an angry reaction from Telford & Wrekin Council which would stand to lose both its A&E and women and children's services if the move is approved.
Both hospitals would have urgent care centres under the new plans.
The county's health chiefs have said that moving to the model of one emergency centre is the only way of making services "sustainable".
