£4 million funding announced for Telford hospital as Health Secretary quizzed over 'A&E Local'
Answers over what an 'A&E Local' will look like in Telford have been sought in parliament, as it was announced the town's hospital will be given £4 million to help with winter pressures.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the winter capital funding for Princess Royal Hospital during the Queen's Speech debate in the House of Commons.
He was also challenged on his decision to allow the Future Fit plans to proceed with placing Shropshire's main emergency centre in Shrewsbury, while tasking NHS England to draw up plans for an 'A&E Local' in Telford.
Many campaigners fear it will lead to a downgrade of services at PRH and an online petition calling for Shropshire to keep both its A&Es has now gathered more than 4,200 signatures in a matter of weeks.
During the debate Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth compared the term 'A&E Local' to a Tesco Express shop, while promising a Labour-run government would "save that A&E department".
However, Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard claimed the A&E in Telford was not closing and asked Mr Hancock for more details on what an 'A&E Local' would entail.
In response, Mr Hancock said: "I want to ensure that A&E facilities continue in Telford. We are working on the details."
See also:
He added: "However, I am delighted to announce that the Princess Royal in Telford will be benefiting from £4 million of winter capital funding that will come on stream for this winter."
The money will allow the Wrekin midwife-led unit to move into new facilities, next to the current consultant-led unit at PRH, in the New Year.
It will also allow the hospital to create up to 20 additional beds to ease pressure over the winter months.
The area freed up by the move will be used to create a ward which will cater for acute medical patients.
Jo Banks, women and children’s care group director, said: “The Wrekin MLU is 30 years old. The new facility will be much more appealing to mums wanting a midwife-led birthing experience, while giving women the reassurance of being closer to the consultant-led unit.”
Welcoming the move, Mr Pritchard said: “This is a huge immediate investment into the PRH. I’m delighted that the Health Secretary has given the green light to spending on new facilities at PRH.
"The extra beds and modernised maternity unit will help our outstanding local NHS staff to provide high quality care to local women and children.”
The Future Fit decision, made by health commissioners in January, was for Shrewsbury to be the base for the county's emergency centre and for PRH to take over responsibility for planned care.
Telford & Wrekin Council formally called on Mr Hancock to review the decision, but he revealed earlier this month that the plans could proceed with the emergency centre at RSH and an 'A&E Local' at PRH.
Plans for A&E Locals are being developed by NHS England and Improvement, with the scope of services involved yet to be defined.
Meanwhile, Telford & Wrekin Council has confirmed a possible legal challenge against the hospital reorganisation is still under consideration.
