Future Fit: Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski calls for 'mature decisions' over Shropshire A&E services

Daniel Kawczynski made his comments after health bosses confirmed this week A&E services should be based at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Most day case surgery should be handled at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital, they say.

Mr Kawczynski said: "We have to start recognising these changes for what they are, the opportunity for a £300 million investment into our region's health services. Failure to put our house in order would put that at risk.

"Therefore, mature decisions are needed so that we can find the best route to better health provision for all."

It was announced earlier this week at a meeting of the NHS Future Fit Programme that board members were renewing their recommendations that the county's main emergency centre should be based in Shrewsbury.

The announcement comes more than eight months after the board originally made the same recommendation.

An independent review carried out since then has ruled the way the process was carried out was correct.

The recommended plans - as well as proposals that will see an emergency services centre based at Telford - will go to public consultation once Future Fit is given the go-ahead from NHS England.

Mr Kawczynski's sentiments were echoed by the leader of Shropshire Council Peter Nutting.

Councillor Nutting, who represents the Copthorne ward, said: "I don't think many have altered their thinking over the last few months. It makes sense to have the major A&E department at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital because of the geography of where Shrewsbury stands for Mid Wales.

"Let's hope they can get on with it without too much delay. Telford and Wrekin will still have an accident and emergency service that will deal with incidents as the need arises. Major trauma will come to Shrewsbury. There has been a lot of discussion on this, now we need to move on."

David Evans, joint senior responsible officer for NHS Future Fit said: "The board decided that the material given to them in the independent report did not impact on their original decision. We have to move forward with making a decision because the services that are currently provided are proving increasingly difficult for the acute trust to do."

The consultation, which will last 12 weeks, may open between the end of September and mid October.