All spinal surgery in Shropshire moved to Oswestry Orthopaedic Hospital for three months

Staffing issues at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) has meant spinal treatment was named as a 'fragile service' earlier this year by hospital bosses.

The trust had one consultant who specialises in spinal surgery, who went on long term sick with no notice, which meant they could not take referrals for spinal problems.

The trust has been in talks with Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital and has come to an agreement for a three-month period.

Carolynne Scott, assistant chief operating officer for scheduled care at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust said: “As has been reported, due to the unexpected sudden illness of our spinal surgeon at SaTH, we are not currently able to provide a full spinal service at the trust.

"In order to ensure patients are seen as quickly as possible, we have discussed the situation with our coordinating commissioner and other key organisations and agreed that all urgent outpatients and patients requiring surgical intervention will now be transferred to the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital.

"Patients requiring a routine follow- up will remain at SaTH under the care of our orthopaedic team.

“We expect this to continue for a minimum of three months, but will be reviewing the situation regularly throughout that period.”

SATH has previously highlighted difficulties in the emergency department, ophthalmology, neurology outpatients service, dermatology outpatients service and the spinal service.

In a paper due to be discussed by Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group on Wednesday, it states: "Shropshire CCG has facilitated discussions between SaTH and Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital (RJAH).

"RJAH have agreed to support SaTH by accepting the transfer of the current caseload and SaTH have been tasked with ensuring that patients are in agreement for their care to be transferred during this period of unplanned consultant absence.

"This is monitored monthly via the planned care working group with both local providers."