Crucial times for Shropshire's NHS as service celebrates 75th birthday
While the NHS stretches across Shropshire from GPs surgeries to community hospitals, it is the future of the county's major hospitals that need the most pressing resolution.
The ongoing attempt to modernise and reorganise Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) and Princess Royal Hospital in Telford (PRH) – both managed by Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) – is key for healthcare in the county, and is likely to have a knock-on impact on other services across Shropshire.
The £312 million 'Future Fit' Hospital Transformation Plans have been met with controversy from some health campaigners, and Telford and Wrekin residents over changes proposed for PRH.
But, medics themselves argue that the changes, which have been years in the making, are essential for the future, to provide a sustainable service that allows SaTH to retain staff.
Key to the proposals is the split of services between sites.
RSH becomes the centre for the county's emergency care, with a 24 hour emergency centre – also known as an A&E, while it will also take over consultant-led women and children's services from PRH.
