Shropshire Star comment: Challenge facing our hospitals

It will be deeply concerning to many that urgent action is being taken against the trust that runs Shropshire’s two main hospitals.

In effect, the Care Quality Commission is saying the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust does not come up to standard.

Inspections at maternity and emergency departments have revealed deficiencies and they will now be subjected to regular supervision and scrutiny.

The NHS is a source of pride for many from across the political divide. It is rightly esteemed as one of Great Britain’s monumental achievements and it is a system that many around the world would wish to emulate.

But in recent times it has fallen into a state of chaos, in part due to under-funding and also because of too much red tape. And while those who work in the health service frequently receive praise from all quarters for performing everyday miracles, the NHS itself is ailing.

In Shropshire, we witness daily episodes of under-performance that cannot go unremarked. The Future Fit process has over-run by far too long. What was intended as a scheme to reorganise and introduce efficiencies to local health services appears to have done the opposite.

Our local accident and emergency departments have long been a cause for concern. Campaigns have been run to ensure both our main hospitals retain services, but experts clearly believe they are not equipped to do so.

Money has been spent on maternity provision but there have been failings and serious issues raised. Now, to top it all, the CQC is intervening to help the hospitals address key concerns.

It is time for local health officials to get things back on track. There is no time for excuses or further delay. The general public has realistic levels of expectation that are simply not being met.

We ought not to be in a position where the NHS faces daily questions and where confidence in services is at an absolute low. Intervention is required to restore confidence, restore standards and to meet the criteria that the Government lays down.

We cannot go on with crisis followed by crisis followed by crisis. The public expects more and the NHS must deliver.