Trust that runs Shropshire's hospitals missed out on new staff because of 'administrative error'

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust (SaTH) was offered more staff by Health Education England, but the offer was not taken up due to the error.

But SaTH said the letter was just one of a number of conversations going on with Health Education England, and that more would be done to attract doctors to the area in the coming weeks.

The efforts will include a new advert with an enhanced offer to middle grade doctors.

Richard Jones, of SaTH, said: “Unfortunately the letter was not acted upon immediately due to an administrative error. However, Health Education England have been aware of the Trust’s recruitment difficulties and helpful conversations have been on-going with them for many months

“A new development is that Health Education England are planning to go out with an advert next week, on behalf of SaTH, with an enhanced offer to middle grade doctors to support our recruitment campaign, which we hope will create interest.”

The news came after it was revealed Princess Royal's A&E Department would be shut overnight due to a lack of staff.

The trust said it needed at least seven new doctors and 15 new nurses.

Telford & Wrekin Council leader Shaun Davies has put out a DIY-SOS style appeal to people around Telford asking for businesses to come forward to fix up three houses within the Princess Royal grounds.

The houses, when they are repaired, will accommodate junior and middle-grade doctors for free in the hopes that it will attract new staff to the town. The properties could house up to 12 people.

Anyone else who can help is asked to email NHS4All@telford.gov.uk

Telford & Wrekin Council and NHS4All have organised a march in Wellington in opposition to the planned closure. The protest will be held on November 4 and more than 1,000 people have expressed an interest.