'Doing nothing is not an option': One of Shropshire's A&E departments must close say medics
One of Shropshire's two A&E departments must close. That was the stark message given by the two men in charge of emergency medicine at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Telford's Princess Royal Hospital.
In an open letter published by the Shropshire Star today, they insist having just one A&E will provide safer and better care for patients.
The letter was written jointly by Mr Subramanian Kumaran, consultant and clinical director for emergency medicine, and Dr Adrian Marsh, consultant and clinical lead for emergency medicine.
Their message to patients who use the two hospitals is: "Doing nothing is not an option".
They speak of the reasons why having emergency services in one place would benefit patients, help to attract more staff and help to ensure services are not lost from the county.
In the letter they state: "The current model is not sustainable and change is needed.
"We must ensure patients now and in generations to come have the best services possible."
It was revealed recently that only one accident and emergency consultant has been recruited at Telford and Shrewsbury hospitals during the past three years despite extensive recruitment drives.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine guidelines say a minimum of 10 consultants should be working every day in each of Shropshire's two emergency departments. But health bosses say Shrewsbury and Telford's A&Es are currently operating with just five consultants. Future Fit, the review of hospital services for Shropshire, is in chaos after NHS leaders in the county failed to agree on a way forward.
It led to Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski to call for the review to be scrapped and both A&E departments at the RSH and PRH to remain.
It has not been revealed which A&E department would close, but today the medics who lead those departments insist one should be sacrificed to improve care.
Their letter says: "Having one emergency centre would allow the trust to ensure there is always one of our own senior doctors present 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, to deliver care compared to the current situation of locum doctors more frequently delivering the care. This model would also help to keep services in the area rather than moved to the bigger centres in Stoke or Wolverhampton.
"In addition, it would allow the trust to be at the forefront of medical research, which it cannot currently do with the present configuration.
"Following consultation with colleges from across the region, the ability to recruit and retain experienced, highly skilled staff would be increased – ensuring our patients receive the safest and kindest care possible in the county, rather than having to travel outside of Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin."
If Future Fit is approved, an A&E department would close. One emergency centre would cover Shropshire and Mid Wales, supported by urgent care centres for non-emergency care at Shrewsbury and Telford.
