Change to children's unit would be a 'major blow'
Any changes to the way children's services are provided at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital could have a major impact on patients across the border, it has been claimed.
Patients in Mid Wales must be consulted before health bosses make any decisions to change services at the specialist assessment unit for children at the hospital , according to Joy Jones, Powys county councillor for Newtown.
Under proposals being considered by health chiefs, the children's assessment unit at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital would be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
But the Shrewsbury unit would remain open for 12 hours a day, Monday to Friday.
Hospital bosses have insisted no final decision had been made and it was only one of a number of options under consideration. Councillor Jones said: "For people on our side of the border, Telford is just too far away. We need all the main services to remain in Shrewsbury because otherwise it will cost someone their health or even a life. It is vital the major services and the longer hours are in operation at Shrewsbury."
Hospital bosses have been accused of going back on an alleged promise to have specialist doctors and nurses for children at RSH seven days a week.
Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski and Shropshire Council leader Keith Barrow claim a deal was struck as part of an agreement to move services from Shrewsbury to the £28 million women and children's centre at Telford, which will open next month.
Councillor Barrow said Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust boss Peter Herring assured him paediatric services would be on-site at RSH for 16 hours a day, seven days a week. The two men are now urging health chiefs to stick to what was agreed.
Andrew Tapp, medical director at the trust, said health chiefs were still in talks about the opening times of the RSH unit.
