Telford A&E night closure: Fears over impact on Midlands hospitals
Politicians in Wolverhampton and Staffordshire have expressed concern over what the overnight A&E closure in Telford will mean for neighbouring hospitals.
Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust’s board voted unanimously in favour of the night-time closure of A&E at Princess Royal Hospital during their meeting on Thursday.
The overnight closure will mean the emergency department will close between 8pm and 8am and is due to be brought in during November.
Fears have been voiced that it risks putting extra pressure on hospitals in Dudley, Wolverhampton, Stafford and Stoke.
Councillor Roger Lawrence, leader of Wolverhampton City Council, said: “I am seriously concerned that the impact of this proposal has not been thought through.
"A&E at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton is already under pressure as a result of changes at Stafford.”
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David Loughton, chief executive of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said the trust will work with SaTH, West Midlands Ambulance Service and surrounding organisations on a comprehensive plan before an ambulance divert is implemented.
Stoke MPs Gareth Snell and Ruth Smeeth added: “We have a wonderful hospital in Stoke-on-Trent but it sits in a fragile and challenging local health system.
"Only last year, the queues at our A&E were, once again headline news.
"Everyone has worked incredibly hard to ensure that our hospital is better prepared for this year’s challenges and any unexpected and unplanned surge in demand from patients who should be able to access Telford A&E puts all that work, potentially, in jeopardy.
“We believe every town should have access to the health and care services it needs and Telford should be no different."
Diverted
SaTH blamed staff shortages for the decision, with major gaps in consultants and middle-grade doctors.
It is expected that about 16 ambulances a night will be diverted to nearby hospitals, which will involve some patients travelling out of the county.
SaTH, which runs PRH and Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, said the recommendation to close Telford had been made considering the numbers of patients attending both sites overnight, as well as the mix and dependencies of other patient services.
Health bosses say the overnight closure will last at least six months.
Dr Kevin Eardley, care group medical director for unscheduled care at SaTH, said: "We have, and continue to, work closely with our health partners including our commissioners, ambulance services and neighbouring trusts, on this.”
He said services in the emergency departments were fragile and the trust could not continue to operate both sites overnight in the long-term with staffing levels as they are.
