Campaigner in vow over Oswestry health services
A health campaigner has vowed to do all he can to preserve Oswestry's health services after the announcement that its Shropdoc site will close.
The recent announcement will see the out-of-hours emergency care service in Oswestry and Bridgnorth shut, with operational hours cut in Whitchurch.
As part of the cost-cutting measures, patients who require an appointment will need to travel to Shrewsbury or Telford.
The changes come after Shropshire’s current out-of-hours GP service teamed up with Shropcom, a trust running community services, to win the new GP-led out-of-hours contract for the county starting in October.
County councillor and health campaigner Paul Milner said taking services out of Oswestry is not the answer and everything needs to be done to keep them in the town.
He said: "This news isn't good because we need services in the town.
"I know from speaking to people that they prefer Shropdoc, rather than the 111 service that is coming in.
"They want to be able to speak to someone locally, and that is key.
"With the minor injuries unit under review, and the future of the maternity unit unresolved, this is another hit to our services.
"We are not the only town being hit, but we need to do everything we can to save services, it is vital."
Concern
The announcement has also caused concern over the border.
Graham Breeze, councillor for Welshpool, said: "Patients in the Welshpool area have been told to continue using the Shropdoc number until the end of the year when NHS 111 will be launched as a much-delayed replacement and people are already worried about the impact the changes will have.
"News of a reduced service across the Shropshire border will do little to settle those nerves.
"The Shropdoc service has had its critics but for over 20 years things have moved along pretty smoothly and indeed the service was regarded as “outstanding” when rated. So it’s a great shame to see these changes.
"At the moment many patients are being asked to make their own way to Welshpool Hospital to see a member of the Shropdoc team if their call is outside of hours.
"That’s bad enough so the very thought that they may be asked to travel to Shrewsbury in the future makes my blood boil.
"Let’s hope the 111 Service proves better than the Shropcom version across the border."
