Fight continues for Telford A&E, say councillors

Members of Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet said predecessors fought in the 80s for a hospital in the town and will now fight again to ensure it meets residents needs.

It comes as the cabinet held an urgent meeting on Thursday to discuss proposals put forward by the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital's NHS Trust to look to close the A&E overnight at the Princess Royal Hospital in the wake of staffing shortages.

Members said the borough is rapidly growing, with new housing developments and major employers all coming to the borough.

They said it needs to be supported with proper emergency care.

Councillor Richard Overton, ward member for St Georges and cabinet member for health called on the Telford and Wrekin MPs to "sort this chaos out".

Councillor Arnold England, ward member for Brookside and cabinet member for children's services, said: "Telford is the growth point of the West Midlands, it is valued very highly and is creating more jobs.

"35 years ago, our predecessors had to fight to get a hospital to serve Telford and called in the Secretary of State then.

"We need to do that again now.

"If they start chipping away at our hospital services, it is the thin end of the wedge.

"35 years ago we made a case and we must make that case again."

Councillor Lee Carter, ward member for Wellington's college ward and cabinet member for finance said problems at local level were indicative of the financial crisis facing the NHS nationally.

While Councillor Paul Watling, ward member for Madeley and cabinet member for adult services, said the overnight closure was the "bell tolling" for the future of the PRH.

Councillor Gilly Reynolds, ward member for Oakengates and Ketley bank and member for education and employment, said: "It is a cruel irony that as Telford celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2018 its hospital services are being downgraded.

"This has huge implications for the future of our town."

There was cross-party support for the Princess Royal Hospital at the meeting.

Although Labour members at Addenbrooke House, continued to call for both hospitals to be protected, Councillor Andrew Eade said he supported clinicians calls for a sole emergency care centre in Shropshire, but said it should be based in Telford.

He said "blindly" campaigning for two emergency departments was "simply delaying and jeopardising the outcome."

More than 30,000 people have signed the council’s PRH4Me petition to show support for the hospital, and members vowed to encourage more people to sign up, with a plan to take it to Westminster.

Members also resolved to encourage as many people as possible to join a march to show solidarity for the PRH.

It will take place on April 23 and will start from Walker Street in Wellington and head to the hospital.

Councillors also said they would continue to call for the Secretary of State to intervene in the plans.