Future Fit recognised during PMQs

The Prime Minister has said she “recognises concern” about Future Fit, after Shrewsbury’s MP attacked Telford and Wrekin Council for delaying the final decision.

Daniel Kawczynski said the local authority was holding up the planned reorganisation of hospital services, despite being “bereft of medical expertise”, and preventing doctors in his constituency from getting back to their day jobs.

Theresa May acknowledged concerns about the programme and added that the decision was in the hands of an independent panel, due to report back to the Health Secretary.

But, in her penultimate question time as PM, she added: “Clinicians should take these decisions because it’s clinicians who know best the services that should be available”.

In January, a joint committee of Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Groups approved the £320million Future Fit proposals, which would see the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital house the county’s only full accident and emergency department. The existing A&E at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital will become an urgent care centre.

Following a request from Telford and Wrekin Council, Health Secretary Matt Hancock ordered an Independent Reconfiguration Panel to review the decision.

Conservative Mr Kawczynski, who represents Shrewsbury and Atcham, said: “We have secured £320million for these vital changes, yet Labour-controlled Telford Council, an organisation bereft of any medical expertise, has repeatedly prevented these vital changes from taking place.

“Will the Prime Minister update us on when this long-running saga is going to finally come to an end and my doctors and clinicians can get back to their day jobs?”

Mrs May, whose successor as Conservative leader will be announced next Tuesday and appointed as Prime Minister the following day, said: “I recognise that there are concerns about the Future Fit programme and services in Shropshire.

“I understand that my Rt Hon Friend the Health Secretary has referred this programme to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel and the Department of Health will be studying that advice carefully before making a decision.

“We have a simple view that clinicians should take these decisions because it’s clinicians who know best the services that should be available for his constituents and others.”

Telford and Wrekin Council leader Shaun Davies pointed out that Telford is the fastest-growing town in the midlands, giving it a “compelling case” to retain a 24-hour A&E and its consultant-led Women’s and Children’s Service, which opened in 2014 but would be closed under Future Fit.

“It is this council that continues to fight for services for Telford and Wrekin and we, and those Shropshire Council communities around Telford and Wrekin will not be bullied into silence,” he said.