Today’s announcement (Wednesday 28th March) by the UK Government's Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, that capital investment of up to £312 million will be allocated to fund the building of a new Emergency Care Centre has been welcomed by Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George.
As a result of the announcement, the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust can now proceed with a consultation on changing the services it provides at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford.
Three years ago, the two Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) serving Shropshire, who decide on the future structure of the NHS, agreed to set up a body known as the ‘Future Fit Programme Board’ to consider the matter in detail and make a recommendation on the way forward.
After more than 3 years and £2 million, the CCGs unanimously agreed to recommend that ‘emergency care services’ should be located at Shrewsbury and ‘Planned Care’ should be located at Telford. This ‘preferred option’ also includes the transfer of the most serious cases of maternity trauma from Telford to Shrewsbury. Access to a 24/7 Urgent Care Centre for non-life threatening treatment will be available at both hospitals.
Responding to the news that the funding for the capital works has been awarded, Mr George said:
"Reform of the secondary care system which serves Shropshire and much of Mid Wales is one of the most important issues of our generation and I'm therefore delighted that the UK Government have announced an investment of £312 million for the construction of a new Emergency Centre.
"It will now be essential for Montgomeryshire’s views to be heard loud and clear over the more populated area of Telford in the forthcoming consultation on the preferred option for the future of NHS care in our area.
"Your response to the "Future Fit" consultation will have an influence on the final decision which is made so I would like to encourage everyone to take part in this important consultation so that we can see diggers in the ground as soon as possible.
"For many years, I have argued that services must be retained and strengthened in Shrewsbury which is a centrally located to serve the healthcare needs of the wider region and those of us here in Montgomeryshire who access health services from across the border. Today's decision means that we are one step closer to making this a reality."
Powys Teaching Health Board Chief Executive, Carol Shillabeer said:
"I am very pleased to announce that NHS Future Fit has received confirmation from the Department of Health and Social Care in England that capital funding is available.
“Importantly, this means that these vital proposals that aim to ensure safe and sustainable acute hospital services for half a million people in north Powys, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin can now proceed to public consultation, subject to final approval by NHS England.
"We are working with NHS Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group (CCGs) to ensure that arrangements are in place to engage the people of Powys. We look forward to sharing more information once details of the consultation are confirmed.
“Hospital services in Shropshire are vital for our communities in North Powys so we would encourage everyone to get involved and have your say when consultation is launched later this year."