MP Daniel Kawczynski urges Shropshire Council Tories to back Shrewsbury A&E campaign

He praised Shrewsbury Town Council for going it alone in its decision to fight to keep the emergency unit in the town.

The Shrewsbury and Atcham MP said people needed to display "iron resolve" over the issue.

Mr Kawczynski said the town council's decision to launch a campaign to retain A&E services at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital with a public rally was to be applauded.

The Conservative MP said that despite his political differences with Labour councillor Alan Mosley, leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, he welcomed the decision.

He said: "As you know the town council's leader is of a different political persuasion to myself but I applaud the action they have taken and I was disappointed that Shropshire Council was not able to pass a resolution to defend A&E at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, when you bear in mind how strong Telford & Wrekin Council has been in its resolve in making sure A&E services are protected at Telford. We need a strong demonstration of our iron resolve for A&E services to remain at Shrewsbury."

A&E services in the county face an uncertain future with the Future Fit reorganisation of Shropshire's health services and two main hospitals recommending the creation of one emergency centre.

Mr Kawczynski said that he believed Shropshire Council should have at least adopted a motion which called for both of the county's hospitals to retain A&E units.

He said: "I was very glad that they have passed the resolution and I was disappointed with Shropshire Council, at the very least they should have said there should be two A&E services in Shropshire. If they do not want to favour Telford over Shropshire that second caveat of fighting for two A&Es would be a sensible alternative."

The MP said it would be unacceptable for RSH to lose its A&E unit.

He said: "My view is that Shrewsbury has to have A&E services and that means one of two things. Either both continue to have them or they are centred at Shrewsbury. Those two options I would be content with but it would be wholly unacceptable if Shrewsbury was to lose A&E services."

Campaign

Councillor Alan Mosley said Shrewsbury Town Council will launch its campaign in the autumn after securing a venue for the rally.

He said: "It is highly unlikely that an underfunded NHS will sustain two fully resourced A&E centres so we are planning to mount a campaign to ensure that an A&E or emergency care centre continues in Shrewsbury.

"It will start with a rally in the autumn which will invite all interested groups, including Shrewsbury's MP Daniel Kawczynski.

"I believe there will be massive public interest in this and residents will want to participate in doing what they can to save Shrewsbury's A&E facilities and we will need to book a large venue and ensure that everyone has access to the rally."