Health fight still on in mid Wales

Last week NHS Future Fit Programme board members renewed their recommendation that an emergency centre should be based at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, while the majority of day case surgery should be carried out at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital.

But Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George, has warned this is not the end.

"After a lengthy process, I welcome the news that the end is finally in sight on the important issue of hospital services for the people of mid Wales," he said.

"Both MP Glyn Davies and I have always maintained that it is common-sense that emergency care serving Shropshire and mid Wales should be located in the centre of the region in Shrewsbury. It is now satisfying to learn that this is the preferred option which will be put to the public in the not too distant future.

"However, this outcome is not a foregone conclusion and it will be vitally important that the people of mid Wales get involved and make their voices heard when the formal consultation starts later this year."

The public consultation is expected to start in the autumn and will run for 12 weeks.

Newtown County Councillor and health campaigner, Joy Jones, said while the news is a "step in the right direction", there is still more work to be done.

"I've been involved in this for the last five years so I'm absolutely thrilled and obviously relieved," she added. "I'm glad they have listened and realise that this is the right decision for the people of Montgomeryshire as well.

"But we really mustn't sit back now and think this is it. Once again, I'll say it's no good crying once we have lost the A&E in Shrewsbury. Everyone in mid Wales needs to stand up and be counted and show the people power we have."

The announcement last week comes more than eight months after the board originally made the same recommendation. An independent review carried out since then has ruled the way the process was carried out was correct.