Shropshire's hospital services 'have to change'

Hospital provision in Shropshire has to change as the current situation is far from ideal, a council leader has said.

Shropshire Council leader Keith Barrow said he gave a "cautious welcome" to plans under discussion.

Accident and emergency services will remain at both of Shropshire's main hospitals, under the new proposals.

Most surgery will take place at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, with Princess Royal Hospital in Telford dealing with outpatients and day cases.

The plans are being discussed by Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin councils and by the county's health trusts.

'Has to happen'

Public consultation is expected to start later.

Other proposals include the creation of a women and children centre at Princess Royal Hospital with a low-risk midwifery service available in Shrewsbury.

Mr Barrow said not changing current provision was not an option.

"If someone had a heart attack and needed surgery, they could turn up at a hospital and there would not be a surgeon," he said.

"Change has to happen."

Earlier, Andrew Eade, leader of Telford and Wrekin Council, said he believed the proposals were a genuine attempt to see a fair division of services across both sites.