New MP calls for hospital reorganisation to be halted

A new MP has called for a planned hospital reorganisation to be reversed by his government.

Speaking in the House of Commons Telford MP Shaun Davies said the previous Conservative government had made Telford the largest town without a fully functioning A and E.

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust received the approval of the previous government for Shropshire's emergency care and specialist women and children's services to be based in Shrewsbury.

At the same time, Telford would become a centre for planned treatment, without a full A and E department.

Mr Davies had opposed the plans while leader of Telford and Wrekin Council.

He asked health ministers to meet him and other Shropshire MPs "to discuss this discredited and disgraceful decision".

In reply, Health Minister Karin Smith said the government is committed to restoring standards across the country and fixing what she called the "broken NHS".

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust has said the programme would result in shorter hospital stays for patients, and shorter waits for planned surgeries.

It produced a business case which was given approval in May and it was given planning permission in January to make changes to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.