United support for #PRH4Me campaign launch

It also urges people to share their stories and show others just how vital this local hospital is.

The #PRH4Me campaign is organised by Telford & Wrekin Council and backed by all of its party leaders.

#PRH4Me aims to show public support for the hospital as health chiefs in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin will soon make decisions on the future of services at both the PRH and Royal Shrewsbury hospitals.

NHS Future Fit is currently carrying out a review of acute hospital services in Shrewsbury and Telford and Wrekin.

The purpose of the review is to determine where best to place hospital services while ensuring the financial sustainability of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals Trust, which faces a growing financial deficit.

It is likely that some services will relocate from one site to another, however the preferred option that details these changes is not likely to be released until later this summer, with formal consultation due to begin before the end of the year.

In advance of the preferred option being published, the #PRH4Me campaign will help the community in and around Telford and Wrekin come together to show their support for the PRH and keep up-to-date with latest news.

Councillor Richard Overton, cabinet member for Housing, Public Health and Protection, said: “The #PRH4Me campaign is not about saving the hospital or any services, this is about building up local support from people both in the borough and the many places outside for whom the PRH is also their hospital and for us to show how valued the PRH is.

“We’ll be out and about at events and venues across the borough over the next few months, so even if you have already pledged or you need to pledge, come and say hello and why not bring your family, friends and colleagues along to pledge too!”

Councillor Andrew Eade, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Conservative Group, added: “We have always supported the continuation of services at the PRH and this time is no different. Once again we have come together to support keeping appropriate services in the borough.”

Councillor Bill Tomlinson, Leader of the Telford & Wrekin Liberal Democrat Group, said: “This is about getting people to pledge and to tell their stories in as simple a way as possible and encouraging others to so. It’s about sharing experiences of the excellent services that we all know staff at the PRH strive to provide day in, day out in our community.”

Pledging is easy - simply visit www.prh4me.co.uk. Once you have pledged you will also be able to share your story and let people know why the PRH is important to you.

Why not join the conversation on Twitter @prh4me (don’t forget the hashtag #PRH4Me) and follow on Facebook and be kept up to date with everything as it happens.