Star Comment: Decision time then move on

It was presented to the county as a forward-looking, innovative approach to meeting the needs of residents. We were told there would be considerable consultation, that the needs and wishes of residents would be met and that it would help to seek out existing inefficiencies.

That was, of course, many moons ago. Since its launch, Future Fit has become a byword for inefficiency and procrastination. What ought to have been a smooth, transparent process has been anything but. The process has dragged on and on without any tangible progress.

That has led to a worsening of the situation in as much as the pressure on our health services has increased while the uncertainty has made it ever-more difficult to recruit A&E consultants. The outlook as it stands is pretty bleak, to the point where contingency plans have had to be drawn up to close an A&E overnight if the situation worsens any further. To add to the mix, the continuing delay in going out to consultation on the options has added to the sense that there is something amiss with the plan pulled together by Future Fit.

In any case, the tug of war between Telford and Shropshire shows no sign of letting up – and is likely if anything to further slow down progress. In this context, the idea of adding another option to consider may sound like asking for trouble.

But given the lack of progress made thus far, it is only right that all sensible suggestions be considered. The idea for a new emergency centre was originally discounted on the grounds of cost. Whether it is any more likely now is perhaps less clear. It would also mean moving the recently-opened women and children’s unit.

What is clear is that the managers who run our health services must bring this issue to a sensible, sustainable conclusion. There must be no more uncertainty or indecision, no dilly dallying and no mixed messages.

The big issues facing local health services must be addressed for the good of us all. There may be some decisions that prove unpopular and members of the public might have to face up to harsh financial realities that they would rather not consider.

However, the very lack of clarity and decision-making has itself become problematic. It is time to put an end to it, decisions must be made and we must all move on.