Call for clarity over A&E changes

Telford is due to lose its full accident and emergency department as part of a reorganisation of hospital services

The leader of Telford and Wrekin Council has called for clarity on the naming of a new urgent care centre after a panel criticised NHS plans for its branding.

Telford's Princess Royal Hospital is due to lose its emergency department as part of a reorganisation of hospital services in Shropshire, leaving "enhanced urgent care" in its place.

A government-appointed Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) recommended this should not be called an A&E Local because it might pose a "risk to patient understanding and safety".

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust (SaTH), which put forward the proposals, said it would follow national guidance on naming.

NHS England said it would not be commenting at this time, but backed the SaTH approach.

It followed comments from council leader Shaun Davies, who said he was still waiting for confirmation that the A&E Local term would not be used, following the IRP's criticism.

Under the reorganisation plans, consultant-led women and children's services will also move from Telford to Shrewsbury, with the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital becoming the county's centre for emergency medicine.

The planned "enhanced urgent care" that would replace Telford's accident and emergency department will have a consultant on hand during core hours, to provide extra cover.

Under the plans, Telford's Princess Royal Hospital will become the centre for planned care, including elective surgery, with some services moving from Shrewsbury.

Mr Davies and others, including local Tory MPs, have raised concerns, citing a growing population in Telford and complaining people in the east of the county would have to travel further to get emergency care.

Council leader Shaun Davies said he wanted the NHS to be clear what the new centre will be called

The programme to overhaul services at the county's two main hospitals, which are also used by many patients from mid Wales, began in 2013, and NHS bosses have said the scheme is necessary to ensure services remain sustainable in the future.

In January, the IRP ruled the reconfiguration should go ahead, but Mr Davies said he wanted the NHS to make it clear on its plans for the Princess Royal Hospital.

The politician, who is due to stand as Labour's candidate in the Telford constituency at the next election, said: "This con-trick of making people think we’re going to keep an A&E because it’s called A&E Local has been called out by an independent panel."

He said he had written to the government and the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust in January to get confirmation the term would not be used, but was yet to receive a response.

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust said it would "continue to work closely with NHS England to ensure we follow the latest national guidance when developing the naming of services".

The hospital trust also promised to "work closely" with local communities.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.