Shropshire Star

Transport on the agenda at Bishop's Castle Future Fit event

Residents in south Shropshire have called on Future Fit bosses to focus more on providing transport in rural areas.

Published

Transport to and from hospital was top of the agenda when Future Fit's latest event came to Bishop's Castle.

Simon Freeman, accountable officer of Shropshire CCG was joined by Dr Andrew Tapp at the town hall.

Members of the public and representatives from Bishop's Castle Patients Group quizzed the pair on how south Shropshire will fare when a decision is made to shut either the A&E at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital or Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.

Health bosses are currently deciding where to site the county's only emergency unit, while the other will be designated for planned care. Both hospitals will house an urgent care centre, which will cater for 'walking wounded' patients.

Councillor Heather Kidd said: "My real concern is that the transport plan is only being put together now.

Future Fit:

"We have rural transport issues that are getting worse month by month. Unless you're working with Shropshire Council to stop axing buses or volunteer car drivers, we're going to have a fundamental problem.

"It would be a huge help if Future Fit could address simple healthcare issues like this."

Mr Freeman said he understands the concerns of residents surrounding transport but said Future Fit does not have the scope to address these concerns.

He said: "The concerns in south Shropshire is real, but Future Fit is not a consultation on transport. The issue is something you should be lobbying the CCG about anyway."

One member of the public said while he is in support of the Future Fit plans, he worries how people in rural areas will access the improved services.

"It is like John Lewis setting up the most effective warehouse in finding cheap land to build it on, but then finding it's miles away from the main roads and motorways.

"I long to get to wonderful hospitals. But as it stands, I'm not going to be able to get there so you have got to understand our frustration. It would be great if Future Fit would feed this back."