Health bosses have set a date for the long-awaited announcement on Shropshire's 'NHS Future Fit' programme.
The Future Fit Joint Committee of Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) will meet on Tuesday, January 29 to make a decision on the two options regarding hospital services provided at the Shropshire’s two hospitals, which provide services to Mid Wales.
The controversial proposals will see the Accident and Emergency centre at either Shrewsbury or Telford downgraded, although health bosses say that under either option, a 24-hour urgent care centre will be available at both hospitals.
The CCG's current preferred option is for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to become an emergency care site and the Princess Royal Hospital Telford to become a planned care site.
David Evans, Chief Officer at NHS Telford & Wrekin CCG said: “We are pleased to be able to announce the date for this important meeting, in which members of the Joint Committee will be asked to make a final decision on the future of clinical services at the two hospitals. On behalf of both CCGs, I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the Future Fit process over the last five years and has helped to get us this point - our patients and communities, doctors, nurses and other health professionals, the voluntary sector and partner organisations.”
Dr Simon Freeman, Accountable Officer for NHS Shropshire CCG added: “This meeting marks the end of a conscientious consideration phase in which both CCGs, together with key stakeholders, have taken time to hear, reflect and comment on the feedback from the public consultation, which took place from 30 May to 11 September 2018.
“In addition, we have looked in detail at the additional work that has been ongoing for some months. This includes public, community and non-emergency travel and transport activity, ambulance modelling, the impact that any changes to hospital services may have on seldom heard groups and the proposed plans to improve community services for health and care closer to home”.
Anyone is invited to attend the Joint Committee meeting, which will be held in public at 6.30pm on Tuesday, January 29 at Harper Adams University, Newport.
The meeting will be live streamed via a webcast that can be accessed at www.nhsfuturefit.org
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here