Shrewsbury Town Council has added its weight to the fight against plans to shake up health services at Shropshire’s two main hospitals.
During a full council meeting on March 7, the last before the hospital consultation ends on March 14, members agreed they were against proposals to move women’s and children’s services from Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to Telford’s Princes Royal Hospital.
The proposals would also see the creation of an acute surgery centre at the RSH. Head and neck services would also relocate to the PRH.
Councillors agreed an official response to the consultation in which it states Shrewsbury Town Council has “genuine concerns that these proposals are more finance driven than in the best interests of the patients.”
The document says: “The Town Council is supportive of the need to secure the future of hospital services in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, but it has significant concerns about the options of relocating services out of the town.”
It cites “the implications for travel times for those children who are seriously ill or injured” and “the separation of paediatric acute services from adult acute services” among its top concerns.
Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust has warned the county could lose services by 2014, unless changes are made.
However, nine of the 14 consultant paediatricians working at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Telford’s Princess Royal have come out against proposed service changes, warning they would not be safe or sustainable.
People can give their views on the plans at http://www.ournhsinshropshireandtelford.nhs.uk
The deadline for comments is March 14.
For further information contact Suzi Wilkinson, Marketing & Promotions Officer on: 01743 257654 or email suzi.wilkinson-stc@shropshire.gov.uk