8 March 2019

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he had seen a real determination to improve Shropshire’s two acute hospitals.

Mr Hancock talks to Jill Whitaker, Matron for consultant unit maternity services

Mr Hancock toured parts of the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford yesterday and also took the chance to speak to hospital leaders about plans to reconfigure PRH and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital under the NHS Future Fit plans.

Mr Hancock said he recognised that The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), which runs the hospitals, was facing challenges but said he could “absolutely see” the determination of everybody working in the Trust to turn things around.

He said: “We are putting over £300 million into this hospital trust and I want to make sure that this money is well spent for the benefit of people right across Shropshire and Telford. These decisions are best made locally by clinicians working with patients and listening to everybody.

“I’ve come to see for myself how we can best provide the best possible NHS for the future of Telford and Shropshire.

Mr Hancock with Mr Subramanian Kumaran, Clinical Director for Emergency Medicine, and A&E Consultant Dr Ed Rysdale

“I’ve been impressed by a number of things. Clearly the Trust has challenges, but there has been an increase in staff over the last few months and we put in the effort – at the request of the team here – to support them to get more staff in. The result of that is that the A&E stayed open 24/7 when at one point it looked like it might have to close overnight.”

Mr Hancock also said he recognised efforts to improve the hospitals going forward.

He said: “I can absolutely see the determination of the team locally and everybody working in the hospitals to make sure that the hospitals are turned around and are there for the people of Telford and Shropshire over the long-term.”

Ed Rysdale, A&E Consultant, said: “It was great to have the opportunity to speak to the Secretary of State face-to-face to explain why the reconfiguration is key to the development of the Trust and why, without it, we will struggle to retain and recruit staff.

The Health Secretary hears from patient Linda Sankey

“We talked about the plans and described to him how most people would still be seen in their local area through the urgent care centres. It was also an opportunity to talk about the developments that have already taken place such as the urgent care addition to A&E which is already helping with the flow of patients with minor injuries.”

Simon Wright, Chief Executive, said: “It was pleasing to be able to have time with the Secretary of State and talk about our plans and also for him to be able to speak to our staff to listen to their concerns and hopes for the future.”