Future Fit: Telford council claims strong and robust case over hospital plans
The leader of Telford & Wrekin Council says it is has a strong and robust legal case after the future of hospital services was referred to an independent panel.
His comments follow a decision by Health Secretary Matt Hancock to ask the Independent Reconfiguration Panel to review the region's Future Fit programme to re-organise facilities.
The Future Fit proposals approved by the Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin clinical commissioning groups earlier this year would see Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital lose its A&E and consultant-led women and children’s services.
Councillor Davies said: “I have time and time again been asking the Secretary of State to intervene and he has now only agreed to do so after being forced to by our submission of the referral request.
“This decision makes it clear that we have made a strong and robust case, because the request could have been rejected at this stage.
“This is merely the first step in what I fully expect to be a drawn-out process but we must make sure that it does not lead to the health secretary just kicking the Future Fit can further down the road. It avoids him making any decision until after May’s elections.”
Explaining
Telford & Wrekin Council used its legal powers to refer the decision to Mr Hancock as it believes that the Future Fit decision is not in the best interests of the borough's health services. The council also says that the consultation with the joint scrutiny committee was inadequate.
The Department of Health has confirmed that Mr Hancock has now 'referred this case to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel and awaits its recommendations'.
He has also written a letter to Telford & Wrekin Council leader Shaun Davies explaining his actions.
The council sent a formal referral incorporating 61 pages of legal argument.
The Future Fit proposals were finally approved following protracted debate and a delayed public consultation. Under the plans A&E and consultant-led women and children’s services provision would only be provided at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, while the Princess Royal would become a centre for planned care.
Mr Kawczynski is insisting the objections to Shropshire’s main A&E being based at Shrewsbury would be overridden, and that work to redevelop the hospital would begin next year.
Mr Davies replied that the council would not be bullied into silence.
