Council "disappointment" at hospital shortlist
Telford & Wrekin Council has reacted with disappointment to the proposals for hospital provision in the county – and says that this proves that the Princess Royal Hospital is still under threat.
The response follows the NHS Future Fit Board publishing a shortlist of scenarios for transforming services across Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire.
The council says that it appears that affordability for any future hospital provision has been taken out of the criteria – despite earlier shortlisting showing that concentrating services at the Princess Royal Hospital is almost half the cost of any other option.
Councillor Kuldip Sahota, the leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “It has always been our fear that taking away full 24/7 Accident and Emergency services from the Princess Royal Hospital would put the PRH’s future under threat and despite repeated attempts, we have had no assurances to the contrary.
“All bar one option on this shortlist would effectively mean the downgrading of the Princess Royal Hospital. This council supports keeping full 24/7 A&E services at the PRH.
“In the climate of austerity across the public sector, with all political parties warning this will continue for many years to come, it seems beyond belief that value for money appears to be ignored.
“But if even if you choose to ignore value for money there are still many reasons why full 24/7 A&E services must remain at the Princess Royal Hospital.
“Telford is the population centre in the area, has the best transport links, a growing economy and higher levels of deprivation than many of our neighbours.
“We have very clear and incontestable health needs in this borough – health in Telford and Wrekin is significantly worse than the national average.
“I call on all the decision makers involved in this process to listen to common sense. The Princess Royal Hospital must retain full 24/7 A&E services otherwise it will cease to be general hospital.”
