CCGs chief commits to do further work on hospital reconfiguration

Following an Extraordinary Board Meeting of Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) tonight, David Evans, Accountable Officer, recognised that additional work is needed before both CCGs are able to give support on proposed options for future hospital services.

The Strategic Outline Case described a potential model of delivering hospital services, which aimed to address the workforce challenges in A&E and critical care. This would be the first stage in a two year process to undertake detailed analysis.

The Boards of Telford and Wrekin CCG and Shropshire CCG were unable to reach a unanimous decision on whether to support the progression of the Strategic Outline Case, prepared by Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. Telford and Wrekin CCG Board members voted in support of the Strategic Outline Case, whilst Shropshire CCG Board members were not able to support the progression of the Strategic Outline Case.

David Evans, Joint Accountable Officer for both CCGs, said: “We are in agreement that doing nothing is not an option if we are to have safe and sustainable hospital services for future generations. However, we recognise that there is more work to do before we can reach an agreed way forward as a health system.”

Commenting on the next steps for the programme, David said: “We are committed to working together with Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals Trust, our members and patients to find a solution that delivers improved care and quality services for patients. Following this evening’s meeting we recognise we still need to do more work to find a way forward that meets patients’ needs and addresses clinician and patient concerns.”

Dr Jo Leahy, Chair of Telford and Wrekin CCG, said: “We have heard support from our colleagues and the public for our view that hospital changes cannot be made in isolation to necessary developments in community and primary care.

“We believe in the principals of safe and sustainable hospital services backed by urgent care and community care closer to where people live. We have made no final decisions tonight, and no final decisions on the future reconfiguration of hospital services could be made without further clinician and public engagement.”

Dr Julian Povey, Chair of Shropshire CCG, said: “We are committed to continuing to work with the Trust and Telford and Wrekin CCG to find a way forward for future hospital services. We recognise that change is needed to ensure future services are fit for the future. However, Board members felt unable to support the Strategic Outline Case at this stage. We want to work with our GP members and patients to understand the concerns raised, to create quality services for the future.

“This evening we recognised that the public want to know more about what community services will look like in the future, as we know that community services are an essential part of delivering sustainable hospital services. We are committed to progressing this work, whilst looking at our next steps for hospital services.”