We must all make clear our views on hospitals shake-up
I cannot believe that only one per cent of the population of Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire county have responded to the Future Fit consultation over the reconfiguration of the two hospitals and the closure of services in one or the other.
This affects everyone in the Shropshire county and Telford & Wrekin health area and I can understand those who say that this is a foregone conclusion that the Future Fit body have already made up their mind of what they’re going to do regardless.
I was also very disappointed to read a letter in the Star from a lady from Telford who made this point and further added to it that it was a waste of time because the previous consultation of the merging of the two hospitals was done without reference to the population. I can totally refute this because I was one of the people personally involved in this consultation and different to the current consultation, there was no bias in our presentation or answers we just gave the facts as they were and it was then up to the population to have their say.
Unfortunately, due to the low turnout in responding to the consultation, it gave the health authority carte blanche to make the decision that they did against a lot of concerns of many of us over certain parts of the proposals.
We actually need two fully-manned and equipped accident and emergency departments in Shropshire county/Telford and Wrekin and retain the women and children’s unit at Telford because the buildings and layout are world-class and any refurbishment at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital would not be done to the same high standards in today’s financial climate.
It is time for the NHS to fully commit to first class hospital facilities in Shropshire and Telford and The Wrekin in order that we create a stable environment in which we can attract and recruit staff.
I know that a lot of people are saying that this is a waste of time and the decision is already made, but if enough members of the public have their say then minds will be changed and the real needs of the population will have the results that they wish for and deserve.
Robert Murray, Sutton Hill
Send us your letters for publication:
Email us at mailto:starmail@shropshirestar.co.uk or write to: Readers’ Letters, Shropshire Star, Ketley, Telford, TF1 5HU. Letters MUST include the writer’s name, address and telephone number. Letters will only be published anonymously in exceptional circumstances. The editor reserves the right to condense or amend letters.
