Future Fit: Put politics aside over Shropshire A&E decision, says MP

After years of research and millions of pounds spent by Future Fit, the body set up by the Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Groups, recommended last year that a new emergency centre be built at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, alongside A&E services at Shrewsbury and Telford's Princess Royal.

Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies, who has battled for a healthcare reform in Shropshire and Mid Wales for many years has said the "partisan politics" frustrating the proposal has been a disgrace.

After the recommendation was made, Telford and Wrekin Council threatened to lodge a legal challenge to halt the proceedings.

A consultation is now taking place and Mr Davies is demanding a decision is made by the end of the year.

He said: "Over the last few years, discussions regarding NHS reform in Shropshire have been more difficult than nailing blancmange to the wall. The interests of patients has not been put first.

"We all know that the NHS 'Emergency Services' in Shropshire, which also serves Mid Wales is in desperate need of reform.

"Partisan politics has frustrated this proposal, and it is utterly disgraceful that partisan politics has been put before patients. It must stop.

"I accept it's not easy to move forward, while there are individuals trying to frustrate progress.

"We know there still has to be at least two 'reviews', a public consultation, agreement by the CCGs and agreement from the UK Government to invest the £200 million needed to fund the project.

"I've written to the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust asking that a target date be set for every stage left in the process. We should aim for a final decision before end of 2017."

In January, health minister David Mowat ordered a new independent chair would have the casting vote on the final decision, after a decision could not be made following a Future Fit recommendation in December.

Mr Davies said the lives of his constituents are being put at risk, and has told bosses to 'get on with it.'

He added: "I also accept it is best if decisions on NHS Reform are taken locally.

"But when my constituent’s lives are being compromised, and put at risk, it becomes absolutely vital to reach a decision, removing whatever obstacles which put petty partisan politics before service to the public.

"It's time to get on with reform of the 'emergency services' that serve Shropshire and Mid Wales - and get on with it now."

North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson met with Simon Wright, chief executive of Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust last week, and is hopeful building work will begin by the end of 2018 on an emergency centre in Shrewsbury.

Mr Paterson said: "He was very hopeful that building work for the new emergency centre will start towards the end of next year.

"There still has be the a seemingly endless round of consultations. However Shropshire will be getting the first class emergency services that it deserves."

Mr Paterson has been a long time supporter of having just one emergency centre for Shropshire backed up by urgent care centres for Shrewsbury, Telford and Oswestry.

He added: "A state of the art emergency centre covering the whole of Shropshire will not just attract top class clinical specialists but will actually bring back skills and services to Shropshire."