Future Fit health plans approved

Shropshire’s only Accident & Emergency department will be based in Shrewsbury after health bosses gave final approval to the controversial Future Fit plans during a disruption-hit meeting this evening.

Scores of campaigners, many who were calling for the whole programme to be thrown out, flocked to Harper Adams University in Newport.

They were unable to speak officially at the meeting, but a small number repeatedly interrupted the panel, unfurled banners and chanted.

Moments before the committee voted to close Telford’s A&E, two men walked to the front of the room and security moved in, but they moved off peacefully after holding up posters to the audience.

Committee members were also booed by a handful of protesters during the meeting,

But the Future Fit programme board unanimously gave the plans the green light, meaning Telford will now lose its A&E and consultant-led Women and Children’s Unit to Shrewsbury.

An urgent care walk-in centre will be based at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, while the hospital will also take on planned care for patients.

Concerns were raised about moving Women and Children’s Services to Shrewsbury as part of the plan as Telford opened a £28m purpose-built women and children’s centre in 2014.

But members of the programme board agreed to go along with the recommendation.

Speaking at the meeting, Simon Brake, independent chairman, said: “This is not an easy matter to discuss and it is difficult to come to these kind of decisions.”

Future Fit programme director Debbie Vogler told the meeting that there had been a long and thorough consultation process and that the decision had been taken to ensure the best service for all.

Dr Jess Sokolov, of Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said there would be “massive benefits in care” under the now-adopted scheme.

But Gill George, from Shropshire Defend Our NHS, said: “Future Fit is without public consent, people will die and I am not happy about this.

“The programme board need to be mindful of what they are doing. Future Fit is not fit for purpose. It is a shambles.”

Speaking after the meeting, the leader of Shropshire Council, Councillor Peter Nutting, said he felt the best decision had been taken for the benefit of everyone.

“It will maintain two hospitals in Shropshire, where there could be one,” he added.

Councillor Shaun Davies, leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, called on the health secretary to now meet him to discuss the decision.

He called the meeting “a democratic disgrace.”

Clinical commissioners from both towns decided on the recommendations

The changes are due to be made by 2025 health bosses said, 12 years after the plan was first launched in 2013.

The meeting was independently chaired by Mr Brake and featured input from David Evans, chief officer of Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group and Simon Freeman, accountable officer of Shropshire CCG and Debbie Vogler, the programme director.