Local Councillors, Clinicians and Members of Parliament have all rejected the Future Fit proposals for Telford’s future healthcare.
Without consulting residents or Members of Parliament, Future Fit announced a ‘preferred option,’ which included moving some services from Telford to Shrewsbury, causing understandable distress and concern.
Future Fit failed to understand Telford, its needs and concerns, its past and its future. I have made our opposition to these proposals clear to local decision makers, but also in Parliament and to the Health Secretary. I have raised concerns about the competence of the management, the failure to acknowledge or address Telford's health inequalities and the statutory obligations to do so. I have made clear that funding must follow need and that Telford's new Women and Children's Centre serves some of the most disadvantaged populations in the country.
So that I can properly represent the community’s views, I have written to constituents to ask them what they think. I am grateful to everyone who has taken part. Your voice is being heard.
In meetings with local decisions makers, I have put Telford's case. I have urged them to take on board the specific health needs of our town and the concerns of residents.
Now the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust board is starting to listen.
I have this week received assurances that the Women and Children's Centre will remain at PRH in Telford and that Telford will have a walk in Accident & Emergency Department, as well as a range of additional new services. The Council has also received these same assurances. This is all welcome.
We need to ensure local decision makers deliver on these assurances and regain the trust of our community.
The failure to communicate with residents has created confusion and anxiety. The same reassurances must now be given in writing to residents. Then we can start making sure that the Hospital Trust Board delivers on these promises and meets the healthcare needs of our community for the future.
You can see my work in Parliament on this issue here.