South Shropshire MP, Philip Dunne, has welcomed confirmation that the final hurdle in approval of the redevelopment project for the Shrewsbury and Telford’s acute hospitals has been overcome.
The Hospitals Transformation Programme, which delivers a £312m investment to transform patient services at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, had been awaiting final sign off by the Department of Health & Social Care and HM Treasury.
Mr Dunne, who was instrumental in securing the £312m investment for the project, had been keeping up pressure on Ministers to ensure the Final Business Case was approved as quickly as possible. The Department of Health & Social Care confirmed to SaTH approval of the Final Business Case in a letter of 20th May, subject to conditions.
As a result of the General Election having been called, the NHS may be unable to make public statements about this development until after the election.
The plan to reorganise the provision of health services in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin began in 2013, and was developed by 300 local clinicians (doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals), other specialists and local healthcare partners, using advice and guidance from regional and national teams and hospitals who have made similar, successful changes.
The project will mean better services for patients, through:
• Planned care services in Telford available throughout the year leading to fewer cancellations and delays for operations
• Enhanced urgent care services which will be available 24/7 on both hospital sites
• Improved emergency care services delivered from a new, purpose-built Emergency Department in Shrewsbury, meaning that patients will be seen more quickly, with shorter stays and faster ambulance handover times.
Mr Dunne said:
“I have received the fantastic news that the government has earlier this week approved the record capital funding for this scheme in Shrewsbury and Telford, and I pay tribute to the hard work of so many people who have worked to get this massive investment in Shropshire’s healthcare services over the line.
“There have been many hurdles along the way, and it has taken longer than hoped. Some have sought to obfuscate the process, and even now Labour candidates in Shropshire refuse to commit to what will be the largest capital investment in healthcare infrastructure the county has ever seen. But residents in South Shropshire can now be confident that this colossal investment in improving acute care in Shropshire will be full steam ahead.
“I am pleased to have played my part over the years, and am really delighted to see this project approved before I step down as MP for Ludlow at the General Election. Having recently seen for myself the enabling works underway, I look forward to welcoming diggers in the ground before long."
Under the changes at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, there will be two new front doors – one to the Emergency Department and one to the new main entrance. The Emergency Department will feature a large new reception and triage areas, with dedicated waiting areas for children and adults. There will be expanded provision for 10 ambulances, a new acute medical floor and a new Critical Care unit in purpose-built accommodation.
At the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, a purpose built £24m Planned Care Hub will provide four operating theatres and a dedicated recovery area for elective care. A new cancer treatment day centre will expand on the current service from the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and enhance the quality, capacity and efficiency of cancer care.