County's £312m hospitals revamp finally approved, MP reveals

The approval means Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) can now go ahead with the revamp of RSH and PRH, in a project that has been 11 years in the making.

The move has been welcomed by Mr Dunne, who is stepping down at the election after 19 years in parliament – which included a role as a health minister.

The proposals will see RSH become the county's only 24-hour full A&E, through a new purpose-built 'emergency centre', as well as the base for consultant-led women and children's services, which move across from PRH.

PRH in turn becomes the centre of planned care and operations, with both hospitals having 24/7 urgent care centres.

The proposals have been hailed by SaTH as vital for the improvement of its services – for residents in both Shropshire and Mid Wales.

The trust has been in 'special measures' for a number of years, but recently saw its overall Care Quality Commission rating rise from 'inadequate' to 'requires improvement'.

It is understood that The Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) approved the Final Business Case earlier this week – and has subsequently informed SaTH of the development.

It is the final approval that means work on the project – which began all the way back 2013 – can begin.

Mr Dunne said he was thrilled to see the project signed off as he himself finishes in parliament.

He said: “I have received the fantastic news that the government has earlier this week approved the record capital funding for this scheme in Shrewsbury and Telford, and I pay tribute to the hard work of so many people who have worked to get this massive investment in Shropshire’s healthcare services over the line.

"There have been many hurdles along the way, and it has taken longer than hoped. But residents in South Shropshire can now be confident that this colossal investment in improving acute care in Shropshire will be full steam ahead.

"I am pleased to have played my part over the years, and am really delighted to see this project approved before I step down as MP for Ludlow at the General Election. Having recently seen for myself the enabling works underway, I look forward to welcoming diggers in the ground before long."

Under the changes at RSH, there will be two new front doors – one to the Emergency Department and one to the new main entrance.

The Emergency Department will feature a large new reception and triage areas, with dedicated waiting areas for children and adults.

There will be expanded provision for 10 ambulances, a new acute medical floor and a new critical care unit in purpose-built accommodation.

At PRH a purpose-built £24m planned care hub will provide four operating theatres and a dedicated recovery area for elective care.

A new cancer treatment day centre will also expand on the current service from the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

The proposals have not been universally welcomed across Shropshire with Telford & Wrekin Council vocally opposing the loss of the town's A&E, and fighting for the plans to be dropped.