“Telford and Wrekin Council is firmly opposed to the decision of the Secretary of State to downgrade Accident & Emergency services at the Princess Royal Hospital and close the existing Women and Children’s Centre.
We note with concern that the cost of Future Fit has spiralled out of control to £498 million with every indication that this will go higher still. This astronomical increase in cost makes Future Fit uneconomical and unfair and flies in the face of the need for a balanced approach to investment across the whole system which can deliver a viable solution to the current crisis in our local NHS
This more balanced approach must include:
· a significant additional investment in accessible, local primary and secondary services across Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire which will reduce pressure on acute hospital services
· a rejection of the current plan to pour a large majority of the available capital into crumbling hospital infrastructure contrary to the spirit and intent of the NHS Long Term Plan
· a rapid feasibility study of the alternatives to the current proposal for acute reconfiguration to include both the option of a new site dedicated either to A&E alone or to all hospital services for Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire and the option of retaining full A&E provision at both sites including the retention of the Women and Children’s Centre at PRH
In order to progress these alternatives, and in the absence of fresh thinking from local NHS leaders, we call upon Shropshire Council and all local MPs to meet with this Council administration to make an agreed case to the Secretary of State to instruct that the feasibility work outlined above is undertaken in partnership with the local authorities.”
The Motion will be seconded by Councillor S Davies.
Minutes:
“Telford and Wrekin Council is firmly opposed to the decision of the Secretary of State to downgrade Accident & Emergency services at the Princess Royal Hospital and close the existing Women and Children’s Centre.
We note with concern that the cost of Future Fit has spiralled out of control to £498 million with every indication that this will go higher still. This astronomical increase in cost makes Future Fit uneconomical and unfair and flies in the face of the need for a balanced approach to investment across the whole system which can deliver a viable solution to the current crisis in our local NHS
This more balanced approach must include:
· a significant additional investment in accessible, local primary and secondary services across Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire which will reduce pressure on acute hospital services
· a rejection of the current plan to pour a large majority of the available capital into crumbling hospital infrastructure contrary to the spirit and intent of the NHS Long Term Plan
· a rapid feasibility study of the alternatives to the current proposal for acute reconfiguration to include both the option of a new site dedicated either to A&E alone or to all hospital services for Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire and the option of retaining full A&E provision at both sites including the retention of the Women and Children’s Centre at PRH
In order to progress these alternatives, and in the absence of fresh thinking from local NHS leaders, we call upon Shropshire Council and all local MPs to meet with this Council administration to make an agreed case to the Secretary of State to instruct that the feasibility work outlined above is undertaken in partnership with the local authorities.”
The Motion was seconded by Councillor S Davies.
In accordance with Committee Procedure Rule 9.5, a recorded vote on the motion was taken, the voting being as follows:
For: 32
Councillors K T Blundell, M Boylan, A J Burford, E M Callear, L D Carter, S Davies, A R H England, N A M England, R C Evans, C Healy, V J Holt, T L B Janke, A S Jhawar, J Jones, J E Lavery, A D McClements, R Mehta, L A Murray, R A Overton, S J Reynolds, G C W Reynolds, S A W Reynolds, K S Sahota, P J Scott, C F Smith, M J Smith, B J Thompson, W L Tomlinson, K T Tomlinson, C R Turley, P Watling, and D Wright
Abstentions: 12
Councillors S Bentley, E J Carter, N A Dugmore, A J Eade, V A Fletcher, I T W Fletcher, E J Greenaway, M B Hosken, R T Kiernan, A Lawrence, T J Nelson, and J M Seymour
Against: 0
NB Councillors S P Burrell, K Middleton and D R W White did not take part in the debate or vote due to their Membership of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Councillor G L Offland had left the meeting at 7.14pm.
RESOLVED - that the motion be approved