Telford & Wrekin Council continues fight for A&E at PRH
Telford & Wrekin Council is continuing to fights for full 24/7 accident and emergency services at the Princess Royal Hospital.
Last month the NHS Future Fit programme released its latest statement on its plans for the future of emergency, planned and urgent care for patients from Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and mid Wales.
The Council unanimously backed a motion, 18 months ago, that committed to retain a 24-hour A&E service at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford and continues to support this position.
In the latest video released by the Council, Councillor Richard Overton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Public Health and Protection, explains why these services are essential to the borough.
Councillor Overton said: “This statement from the NHS Future Fit programme does not offer anything new for the future of our local hospital and its A&E services.
“We are committed to continuing to put pressure on the new government to ensure that 24/7 accident and emergency services are retained at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
“We are calling on the Health Secretary to ensure that a final decision confirming this, is reached as soon as possible.
“So far, the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, and the local CCG have refused to give any reassurances that these services will be protected.
“We have made clear that keeping 24 hour A&E services at the PRH is our line in the sand that we feel is not negotiable
“Telford is the population centre in the region and one that is experiencing strong growth, now and in the next 20 years. It has the best transport links, a growing economy and higher levels of deprivation than many of our neighbours.
“We have very clear and incontestable health needs in this borough – health in Telford and Wrekin is significantly worse than the national average.
“I call on all the decision makers involved in this process to listen to common sense. The Princess Royal Hospital must retain full 24/7 A&E services otherwise it will cease to be general hospital.”
To keep up to date on the Council A&E 4 PRH campaign visit www.telford.gov.uk/aande4prh or sign up for alerts via the Council’s News For You service and select A&E 4 PRH under subscriptions
