Future Fit: Telford MP calls again for parliamentary debate

It comes after Lucy Allan MP criticised the "incompetence" of senior management behind the Future Fit process.

Future Fit, run by its own board under the county's two clinical commissioning groups, is looking at the reorganisation of hospital services in Shropshire has previously recommended one A&E unit set up at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital Telford’s department downgraded.

But it is currently on hold after members of Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin clinical commissioning groups failed to reach a decision on whether to back a recommendation to base a single A&E at RSH, as well as transferring some women and children’s services from Telford to the Shrewsbury site.

It is now subject to an independent review.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, Ms Allan said: "Like all honourable members, I care passionately about the future of my local hospital.

"The hospital trust in Telford has spent four years deliberating over plans to invest in the future of hospital services, but, regrettably, the trust has been paralysed by indecision, bureaucratic incompetence, and a complete failure to communicate with my constituents.

"The proposals have descended into disarray, with local MPs, councillors, and clinicians losing confidence in the management’s ability to deliver. Can we please have an urgent debate to consider this important issue?"

Ms Allan was told that she was "absolutely right" to keep pressing the hospitals issue.

Andrea Leadsom, leader of the House of Commons, said: "I know that that matter has been of great concern to my hon. Friend, and I commend her for raising it.

"I believe that, recently, she met the senior responsible officers of NHS Future Fit to discuss progress and a revised timetable.

"I understand that the Future Fit programme board will meet on July 31 to hear the outcome of the independent review and the work relating to the women and children’s impact assessment.

"The joint committee will then meet on August 10 to consider the recommendations made by the board and the next steps, including public consultation.

"She is absolutely right to keep raising this matter."

Earlier this week, Ms Allan said delays in the Future Fit process mean the county is losing out on "significant funding" for its health services.

In an email to members of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital’s NHS Trust Board, she said that residents should have been given more certainty over the ongoing progress.