Telford council leader urges people to have a say in Future Fit consultation
The leader of Telford & Wrekin Council is encouraging people to have a say in the Future Fit public consultation when it launches.
Councillor Shaun Davies believes siting Shropshire's only emergency centre in Telford is the best option and will cost less to run in the longer term, freeing up money for community-based health services.
He is urging people to support this option from the two which will be put forward.
The other option, which is recommended by Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin clinical commissioning groups, involves having a single emergency centre for the county at Shrewsbury.
Both Telford's Princess Royal Hospital and Royal Shrewsbury Hospital would have urgent care centres.
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Councillor Davies said: “We need to make sure that the option chosen after the consultation is the one that gives best value not just for now, but for future generations too.
“Future Fit has looked at all the options and come up with two. They prefer one, we prefer the other.
“We believe our preferred option, of having emergency care in Telford and planned care in Shrewsbury is better for everyone, including the mums-to-be treated at the women and children’s centre.
"This centre came to Telford based on clinical need and that need is still there.
Choose
“Our preferred option is the best one to serve the growing population of Telford and east Shropshire.
"It will also cost less to run in the longer term, meaning there will be more money available for community-based health services.
“When the consultation opens, the public will be asked to choose.
"We will encourage as many people as possible to take part and choose our preferred option.
“We hope health bosses will listen to the people.
"Last year this council held its biggest consultation in its history. It was a consultation where we listened to the hundreds who responded and we acted.
"The end result was what people wanted. We hope health bosses will do the same.”
Mid Wales residents also urged to have say over changes
People in Mid Wales have been urged to get out and have their say on the future of hospital services following the £300m Future Fit funding announcement.
After months of delays health campaigners have welcomed the pledge of more than £300 million to re-structure Shropshire’s major hospitals.
Newtown county councillor Joy Jones, who has been a staunch supporter of retaining services at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, has welcomed the news that a consultation will begin, and has urged people in Powys to have their say.
She said: “This is fantastic news, the people of Powys have waited a long time for this consultation and it is vital that we have our say.”
Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies said he believes people have been left confused over the changes being proposed.
'Fantastic'
He said that ahead of the consultation he is planning to visit councils and community groups around his consistency to make things clear.
He added: “This is fantastic news, it is what we have been waiting for, and to have £312 million invested in health care in the region is more than any of us anticipated. It is vitally important the people of Powys now get out and have their say.”
Montgomeryshire AM Russell George is another who has welcomed the move. He added: “Reform of the secondary care system which serves Shropshire and much of Mid Wales is one of the most important issues of our generation.
“It will now be essential for Montgomeryshire’s views to be heard loud and clear over the more populated area of Telford in the forthcoming consultation on the preferred option for the future of NHS care in our area.”
The politician’s calls have been echoed by Powys Teaching Health Board chief executive, Carol Shillabeer, who is working to ensure arrangements are in place to engage people of Powys in the process.
