Telford & Wrekin Council to splash out to keep A&E in town

Telford & Wrekin Council is to launch a '24/7 A&E' campaign, using money from £100,000 it has put aside.

The council says it has a responsibility to lobby on behalf of the town and that the money has come because of an underspend in its budget.

But "furious" Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski today claimed the move broke council regulations and said he was writing to the Government to complain.

In a scathing attack, he accused the council of being "narrow minded" and "selfish".

The row comes amid the Future Fit review of health services in Shropshire in which either Telford's Princess Royal Hospital or Royal Shrewsbury Hospital will almost certainly loss its A&E unit. Telford & Wrekin Council wants the PRH to maintain its A&E and Mr Kawczynski says it must remain at the RSH.

The council is expected to approve the funding of the campaign at a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Deputy leader Councillor Richard Overton, said: "We remain clear in our position – Telford is the area's main population centre with the most pressing health needs. Our population is growing fast. And when any solution must bring forward a viable financial solution for the hospital trust, we are certain that the PRH site offers the best solution for a sustainable hospital, and space, for development.

"Closing an A&E unit overnight, even under emergency measures, would effectively downgrade the whole hospital."

The £100,000 would fund the 24/7 A&E campaign but would also be used to pay for drives to persuade people to use the council's website and to register for elections.

Councillors in Telford have criticised a delay in the Future Fit programme, which was due to come up with a recommendation in the autumn but has been put back until next summer because the options it came forward with did not address the hospital trust's growing financial deficit.

If the funding is approved the council's A&E 4 PRH campaign would be launched in early 2016.

Shrewsbury MP furious over plans to spend money on PRH A&E

Shrewsbury's MP today has questioned the legality of Telford & Wrekin Council's plans to fund a campaign to retain an A&E unit at Princess Royal Hospital.

Daniel Kawczynski said he was "furious" at hearing of plans by the council to provide money for the 'A&E 4 PRH' campaign.

And he launched a scathing attack on the behaviour of senior politicians within Telford & Wrekin Council.

He said: "I am writing to the Secretary of State for Local Government and copying in the Cabinet Office to ask him whether this contravenes any rules or regulations stipulated as to how councils can behave.

"We have experienced for many years the crude, aggressive, and confrontational campaigning by Telford & Wrekin Council with no consideration for the appropriate level of care for all Salopians. This has to stop.

"Their political posturing could have serious ramifications for the wellbeing and safety of all Shropshire residents, including those from Powys, who use the facilities at Shrewsbury.

"I am extremely concerned about the conduct and the behaviour of Telford & Wrekin Council and I am seeking guidance from national government as to whether or not it is a misappropriation of funds to provide money for such a campaign."

Mr Kawczynski said it is important that Future Fit review process, which is looking to create a plan for Shropshire's future health care, is allowed to come up with a proposal which is best for the county.

He said: "The consultation process being carried out by medical professionals, the CCGs, and the trust, wants to get the best possible care for all Salopians.

"They only care about Telford, even if it is putting at risk other people, and that sort of narrow minded selfish view is something that has to be challenged in the most robust way possible."

In a report going to Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet next week, Councillor Lee Carter, cabinet member for finance states the money would be "set aside in a provision".

And Councillor Carter has said the money has become available due to the amount of savings made in the last financial year, which will also be used for other council services.

He said: "The council set a prudent contingency for the year and the projected position is after applying £1.4million from contingency.

"This should leave the a balance of £2.8million remaining to offset any further pressures that may arise in the remainder of the year.

"This exceptionally good position now reported does enable £100,000 to be set aside in a provision to be used to support campaigns and other activities.

"Adult Social Services and Children's Safeguarding continue to be key areas of pressure and both areas have cost improvement plans in place to reduce costs and deliver savings.

"These plans are monitored on a regular basis both by senior managers and cabinet members."