Health chiefs urged to keep A&E at hospitals
Councillors have urged health chiefs to maintain accident and emergency services at both of Shropshire's main hospitals.
Members of Madeley Town Council believe it is essential to make sure treatment is available for people across Shropshire and Mid Wales – despite opposing campaigns being set up to centralise services at either the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital or Telford's Princess Royal Hospital.
They have agreed to write a letter to Telford & Wrekin Council outlining their stance.
It comes after Peter Herring, the chief executive of the trust which runs the two hospitals, claimed earlier this year that A&E services could not be maintained at both hospitals in the future.
Councillors discussed the issue after receiving an email from borough council leader Kuldip Sahota about their A&E 4 PRH Campaign and Telford and Wrekin's Clinical Commissioning Group's Call to Action, which addresses issues faced by the local health services.
Peter Taylor, chairman of the council, said: "There has been some discussion about reducing the hours of service at the Princess Royal or the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, personally I think it is ridiculous.
"If we keep the Princess Royal, it shouldn't be to the detriment of people on the other side of the county."
Councillor Paul Watling said: "We can't afford not to have them in both places. I know we need a 24 hour service in Telford, but people on the other side of Shrewsbury need it there too."
