"I am disappointed with this decision and will continue to make the case for the Princess Royal Hospital as the best location for the Emergency Department and for the Women & Children’s Unit to stay in Telford.
"I am surprised that Future Fit is in a position to make this recommendation as it is unclear whether funding is available for this or any proposal. This uncertainty is further compounded by the recent publication of the Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Sustainability and Transformation Plan which was thin in detail.
"I am very concerned that Telford’s needs have not been given the weight they merit. These are concerns that have not been addressed by Future Fit despite the best efforts of local representatives.
"Telford is a town with a fast growing population and which has significant pockets of deprivation. It is essential that funding follows needs and I am left to wonder if Future Fit have properly grasped the demographics and health inequalities of Telford and Shropshire.
“There is a statutory duty on the Secretary of State, NHS England and the CCG to give due regard to health inequalities when making decisions and there is no evidence that this has been done. I spoke in Parliament on this issue on Thursday and highlighted this shortcoming.
"To move the Women and Children’s Centre is without logic. This is a unit which cost £28 million to build and was only opened two years ago."