Health bosses at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital Trust are to hold a series of meetings in Montgomeryshire with town councils, groups and the county council over changes to its services that could impact on the area's patients.
Following the decision to move maternity services from Shrewsbury to Telford earlier this year, the NHS Hospital Trust plans to make more changes to its services that will impact on patients from Montgomeryshire. Now, Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies has met with hospital bosses and been reassured that they will be consulting with groups and organisations in the area over the next few weeks, including Newtown Town Council.
During his meeting Mr Davies emphasised the importance of maintaining dialogue. "Reconfiguration of health services in Shropshire is very important to the people of Montgomeryshire. We want to retain as many services as possible in Shrewsbury, rather than be transferred to Telford. Inevitably, I am disappointed that paediatric services, which are currently available at both hospitals are to be concentrated at a brand new £28million specialist unit at Telford."
"While I strongly disagree with the transfer of any services from Shrewsbury to Telford, I do welcome the continuation of a full trauma A&E service at Shrewsbury. I also welcome new working arrangements between the ambulance services of Shropshire and those of Wales, which should improve ambulance waiting times."
"I explained to the Trust leaders that full and proper discussion with affected groups in Montgomeryshire is crucial if confidence is to be retained in the Shropshire health service provision - and I am very pleased that this is now going to happen. There will be meetings with Powys County Council, the Town Councils of Welshpool, Newtown and Llanidloes, the Community Health Council and several other local interested groups. I also hope that any concerns will be shared with me, so that I can raise them with the Chief Executive and Chair of the Trust."
