Last month, Simon Wright, the chief executive of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), said the planned ward, containing about 30 beds, could open at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital from January.

The project was awaiting the final sign-off from NHS bosses.

But SaTH now says a decision is yet to be made about whether the ward will be located at PRH or Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

It is expected to help increase capacity and ease pressure on demand.

It comes as the trust is preparing for the upcoming winter. Currently, serious discussions are taking place about whether both A&E departments in Shropshire can safely stay open 24-hours-a-day due to staffing shortages.

Options are being considered which could see one of the departments temporarily close overnight.

SaTH says it has asked neighbouring trusts for help.