Public consultation amid health fears on Shropshire health services

David Sandbach, the influential former chief executive of the Princess Royal Hospital, provided the solution as he sees it.

That would involve Telford's PRH being a centre of excellence for surgery and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital being used as a base for the county's only fully blown accident and emergency unit.

The arrangement would mean longer journey times for casualties coming from Telford & Wrekin, although the system is likely to be backed up by some kind of arrangement involving walk-in minor injury units.

There is still time for Shropshire patients and residents to have their say on the future of healthcare in the county and those making the decision say nothing is decided yet.

Health bosses say the way NHS services are provided needs to change but that no decisions have yet been made on what the future model of care might look like.

A series of 'have your say' meetings have been held across the county in recent weeks and there are still four more left.

Residents must register before they attend meetings, where they can hear the latest thinking from Shrewsbury and Telford & Wrekin's Clinical Commission Groups and give their views.

• Would you be happy with one A&E unit for Shropshire, based in Shrewsbury? Vote in our poll and have your say in the comment box below.

In November 2013, the groups ran a consultation with public and clinicians. Leaders say those responding to the survey "accepted" the case for change".

But after it became clear that A&E services were under threat – as proposals said Shropshire was likely to end up with just one "emergency centre" in the county following the process – a campaign group called Shropshire Defend our NHS was formed.

Gill George, a recently retired NHS worker, today said she did not accept that funding could only be found for one A&E. She said that arrangement inevitably meant people living in large parts of the county would face longer journeys – and time is a crucial factor in the event of life and death situations.

• See also: Shropshire A&E split proposal a ‘disaster’ for everyone'

She also questioned the validity of the consultation process, adding: "At the moment more and more people simply do not believe a word that is being said.

"I was at one of the engagement events on Friday in Shrewsbury. They had post it notes where people could write what they did like about the proposals and stick them on one board and what they didn't like about the proposals and stick them on another.

"At the end, there was nothing on the like board and about 32 on what people didn't like. When I asked the leaders about it, they said people were always concerned about change. It felt patronising and as if they just are not listening to people."

Mr Sandbach said change is inevitable, but that it should also be accompanied by changes in NHS care on the ground.

Richard Caddy, spokesman for Future Fit, said no decision had yet been made and bosses welcomed all comments and input from members of the public.

'Have your' say events are being held during the next month, including:

• Thursday, September 18, from 5pm at Oswestry Cricket Club

• Friday, September 19, Cosy Hall, Newport between 1pm and 5pm

• Monday, September 22, Monty Club in Newtown at 5pm

• Tuesday, September 23, at Ludlow Assembly Rooms from 10am-2pm

Don’t touch our A&E say residents

Accident and emergency services must remain in Telford according to residents who dismissed an idea to move all emergency care up to 20 miles down the road to Shrewsbury.

Parents, pensioners and workers said it is important an A&E department remains at both the Princess Royal and Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals after former chief executive of the Princess Royal Hospital, David Sandbach, called for all A&E services to be based in Shrewsbury and all elective surgery in Telford.

Stella Blakeman, 65, of Woodside, said: "Think about how far you have got to go, especially if you cannot drive. People will be forced to call ambulances which will cost the NHS money.

"You have to wait long enough as it is to see a doctor. In Shrewsbury there will be more people waiting. I think it is rubbish, why can't we keep our own facilities?"

Many, however, agreed Mr Sandbach's suggestion to create a centre of excellence in Telford was a good idea.

Charlotte Allen, 24, of Brookside, said: "I think you need a bit of both in Telford. You need to extend the hospital so it includes both. My 20-month-old son Jake has been rushed in for breathing problems. If I had to drive all the way to Shrewsbury, that extra time, you do not know, if could be life or death."

Jane Bourne, 52, also of Brookside, added: "It is a good idea to have the surgery centre but the hospital would need an A&E as well."

Suzie Whitehurst, 45, a local government officer from Bridgnorth, added: "The idea of a specialised surgery hospital is great as there is not as much of a problem with having to travel for planned surgery but I think emergency care needs to be local."

Steve Hembley, 57, a registered nurse, from Brookside, said: " I think there are better ways of doing things, you cannot go cutting A&E departments, there has to be other ways of saving money."

Sarah Robinson, 42, from Apley, said she believed in the future all services would end up coming back to Telford. "It is a newer hospital and they are improving it," she added.