Cameron visits hospital

He arrived shortly after 1pm to meet Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital chief executive Tom Taylor before touring the renal and paediatric units.

A proposal to downgrade the night-time paediatric service at the hospital, which would mean some children being taken by ambulance to Shrewsbury, has caused uproar and is being re-examined by a joint group from the Shropshire County and Telford & Wrekin Primary Care Trusts. A decision is expected in this summer.

Mr Cameron was expected to hear from Mr Taylor about the financial situation of the debt-hit Shrewsbury and Telford hospitals before visiting patients.

Earlier at Northop Hall in Flintshire, Mr Cameron joined Welsh Assembly leader Nick Bourne and Shadow Secretary for Wales Cheryl Gillan, for the launch of the Conservatives' Welsh Assembly election campaign and to publish their manifesto.

Conservative parliamentary spokesman for Telford, Tom Biggins, said: "I am delighted David is taking a personal interest in the situation in Telford and is supporting the local Conservative campaign to keep the paediatric service operating."

Picture: David Cameron is pictured at the Princess Royal Hospital today with Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust Chairwoman Dr Margaret Bamford and Chief Executive Tom Taylor.