On 10th August, health leaders agreed unanimously to move towards a public consultation on options for the future provision of hospital services for the people of Montgomeryshire. After a lengthy process, it is welcome the news that the end is finally in sight on the important issue.
The decision, which was made by a Joint Committee of NHS Shropshire CCG and NHS Telford & Wrekin CCG, means that we are one step closer to a final decision on the shape of hospital services but there are a number of steps before public consultation can begin.
When launched, the consultation will ask members of the public on their views on the preferred option of the Emergency Care site at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Planned Care site at the Princess Royal Hospital.
Both Glyn Davies MP and I have always maintained that it is common-sense that emergency care serving Shropshire and Mid Wales should be located in the centre of the region in Shrewsbury and it is now satisfying to learn that this is the preferred option which will be put to the public in the not too distant future.
However, this outcome is not a foregone conclusion and it will be vitally important that the people of Mid Wales get involved and make their voices heard when the formal consultation starts later this year.