Telford A&E night closure plan row: 'Loud voices' sought to rally support for hospital services
"Loud voices" are needed in Telford, say councillors as the borough continues to fight for services at its hospital.
Residents have been urged to sign a petition showing their support for the Princess Royal Hospital and to attend a protest march to be held later in the year.
Councillors have also called on Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to intervene after proposals were put forward to close the hospital's A&E department overnight.
An urgent meeting was held by Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet yesterday, where members discussed what action to take over the plans.
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals Trust, which runs the PRH and also the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital has proposed closing the Telford hospital's, if staffing pressures increase but have said it is only a last resort.
But councillors in Telford have said the plans are "wholly unacceptable" and have called it a "downgrade by the back door".
Councillor Richard Overton, ward member for St Georges and cabinet member for health, said: "Telford and the Princess Royal Hospital are seen as the easy choice to pick on.
"If the hospital trust can't manage two Shropshire hospitals, then it is time someone was brought in who can."
He called for "loud voices" from Telford residents in the fight for the future of hospital services.
There was cross-party support for the PRH, with Councillor Bill Tomlinson, the borough's Liberal Democrat leader, saying it "beggars belief" that after saying that the Women and Children's Centre must be supported by an A&E department, the hospital trust would choose to close the service overnight.
Though Labour members at the meeting held in 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.
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.
