Future Fit: More work needed before public consultation
A joint committee meeting of NHS Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Groups today agreed not to go to public consultation while more work is carried out.
The boards of Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin CCGs this evening met to discuss a recommendation from the Future Fit Board for health service changes in Shropshire.
During the joint committee meeting held at the Telford International Centre, both CCGs agreed not to go to public consultation while more work is carried out.
It means that without a preferred option or options a public consultation will not now go ahead and the matter will refer back to the NHS Future Fit Programme Board.
The Future Fit Board's preferred option proposed a single Emergency & Emergency Department at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and an Emergency Care Centre at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford. The board also recommended making the Princess Royal Hospital a centre for planned surgery and moving Women and Children's Services to Shrewsbury.
Dr Julian Povey, Chair of Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group said: “As a CCG we continue to support the process of Future Fit and are happy to support an independent review of the process which will allow us to move forward.. As a board we are still committed to the principals of NHS Future Fit.”
Dr Jo Leahy, Chair of Telford and Wrekin CCG said: “I would like to emphasise that this is not an end to the process and we need to find a way to move forward together. We will go out to consultation following an external review of the process and with all the required evidence.”
David Evans, NHS Future Fit Senior Responsible Officer said: “I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the programme and the discussion today. There is acceptance by both CCGs that No Change is not an option and this has been confirmed by the recent West Midlands Clinical Senate review.”
Telford & Wrekin Labour Leader Shaun Davies has given a cautious welcome to the decision.
Cllr Davies said “We have heard for a while that we should Trust the clinicians yet tonight we have heard clinicians say they are missing key pieces of evidence which has lead them thankfully to reject the proposals.”
He attended the meeting along with around 250 people from the local community including members of the business community, trade unions, local Councillors and campaigners from Shropshire Defend our NHS campaign.
Cllr Davies continued “We have heard tonight from members of the Board that an independent expert should be appointed to review the process. It is essential that appointment is made in a transparent way and involves all the relevant partner organisations in this.
"It is also imperative that the Government provide funding to ensure that neither Hospital should have to close services whilst this is ongoing. Our MPs need to make the case for fairer funding and more clinical resources for our Hospitals.”
