Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard asks CQC to put Telford and Shrewsbury hospitals into special measures
Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard has written to the national health watchdog asking for Shropshire's main hospitals to be placed into special measures.
Mr Pritchard has written to Care Quality Commission (CQC) chief executive Ian Trenholm asking for Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust (SaTH) to be made the subject of special supervision following a highly critical report by inspectors.
If the trust was placed into special measures, it would see an NHS improvement director appointed to oversee the running of Telford's Princess Royal Hospital and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. The trust would also be required to publish an improvement plan.
It could also see the appointment of one or more 'partner organisations' to provide extra support.
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Mr Pritchard said he had taken the step because he believed the hospital needed special oversight to get back on track.
He said the extra support from NHS Improvement would help with recruitment and its consequences on local services.
Mr Pritchard said his intervention was not a criticism of the trust, but rather a call for it to receive the support it needed.
He said: "The hospital staff are superb, and a record £312 million investment is now in place, new services have been introduced at the Princess Royal Hospital.
"This is all great news, but sadly attracting new staff to the hospital trust remains a problem.
Support
"This has caused challenges in delivering some services.
"I hope my call in for support rather than criticism of the trust will help get the trust where it should be."
Helen Gildersleeve of the CQC said she was aware of calls for the trust to be put in special measures.
She said the decision would ultimately be made by NHS Improvement, but such a decision would normally be based on the advice of the CQC.
Telford MP Lucy Allan and Telford & Wrekin Council leader Councillor Shaun Davies have also called for the Government to step in.
Ms Allan met Health Secretary Matt Hancock, asking him to place the hospital in special measures. Mr Hancock said he did not have the power to do that himself, but pledged to monitor the situation.
Ms Allan said: “We recognise the CQC won’t be able to magic up more doctors overnight.
"However, they will be able to provide oversight and the much needed support and advice."
However, Councillor Davies said: "It's not good enough for the Health Secretary to simply monitor the situation - we need a Government-backed rescue plan now.
"The situation has been urgent for many many months now."
