Thursday
25
April
It's confirmed - A&E will be located at Shrewsbury
04/10/2019 @ 12:14
The green light has been given for a new A&E facility at Shrewsbury that will serve Newtown and parts of north Powys.
MyNewtown reported earlier on speculation that the facility would be located at Shrewsbury after Newtown health campaigner Cllr Joy Jones highlighted it.
Cllr Jones has campaigned for the facility to be located in Shrewsbury as it serves Newtown and other parts and the alternative at Telford would have been too far.
The decision by the UK Government Health Secretary, Matt Hancock MP, to approve the plans has been welcomed by Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George.
The news comes after years of debate and campaigning over Shropshire's hospital services.
Earlier this year, plans were given the go ahead to transform hospital services for the half a million residents of Mid Wales, Shropshire, and Telford.
However, Telford Council had challenged the decision-making process and recommendations. It formally referred the matter to the UK Government's
Health Secretary who then asked an independent panel to look into the matter further before making a decision.
Commenting on the decision, Mr George said: "I’m delighted that the UK Government Health Secretary has now accepted advice that the "Future Fit" Board should proceed with the new emergency centre based in Shrewsbury, alongside significant improvements in other types of care.
"This represents a huge investment of over £300 million pounds in world class critical and emergency care now being invested in Shrewsbury.
This will know mean that the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital will become a new Emergency Care centre and The Princess Royal Hospital in Telford will become a Planned Care centre, with a 24-hour Urgent Care centre at both hospitals.
"This will be positive for us in Mid Wales, as not only will we see life-saving emergency healthcare located in Shrewsbury, with the large investment that comes with it, but we will also see the return of the women and children’s consultant-led inpatient service return to Shrewsbury.
"I think it’s also important to point out that both hospitals will continue to provide adult and children’s outpatients services and diagnostic tests as well as a 24-hour Urgent Care Centre, Day Case Renal Unit and Midwife-led unit.
"It is also essential that some planned care is delivered locally in our local community hospitals in Llanidloes, Newtown, Welshpool and Machynlleth, to prevent the need to travel out of county to see a consultant. I will be keen to understand how the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust will work in partnership with Powys Teaching Health Board to achieve this going forward."
MyNewtown reported earlier on speculation that the facility would be located at Shrewsbury after Newtown health campaigner Cllr Joy Jones highlighted it.
Cllr Jones has campaigned for the facility to be located in Shrewsbury as it serves Newtown and other parts and the alternative at Telford would have been too far.The decision by the UK Government Health Secretary, Matt Hancock MP, to approve the plans has been welcomed by Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George.
The news comes after years of debate and campaigning over Shropshire's hospital services.
Earlier this year, plans were given the go ahead to transform hospital services for the half a million residents of Mid Wales, Shropshire, and Telford.
However, Telford Council had challenged the decision-making process and recommendations. It formally referred the matter to the UK Government's
Health Secretary who then asked an independent panel to look into the matter further before making a decision.
Commenting on the decision, Mr George said: "I’m delighted that the UK Government Health Secretary has now accepted advice that the "Future Fit" Board should proceed with the new emergency centre based in Shrewsbury, alongside significant improvements in other types of care.
"This represents a huge investment of over £300 million pounds in world class critical and emergency care now being invested in Shrewsbury.
This will know mean that the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital will become a new Emergency Care centre and The Princess Royal Hospital in Telford will become a Planned Care centre, with a 24-hour Urgent Care centre at both hospitals.
"This will be positive for us in Mid Wales, as not only will we see life-saving emergency healthcare located in Shrewsbury, with the large investment that comes with it, but we will also see the return of the women and children’s consultant-led inpatient service return to Shrewsbury.
"I think it’s also important to point out that both hospitals will continue to provide adult and children’s outpatients services and diagnostic tests as well as a 24-hour Urgent Care Centre, Day Case Renal Unit and Midwife-led unit.
"It is also essential that some planned care is delivered locally in our local community hospitals in Llanidloes, Newtown, Welshpool and Machynlleth, to prevent the need to travel out of county to see a consultant. I will be keen to understand how the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust will work in partnership with Powys Teaching Health Board to achieve this going forward."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|