Residents still to be consulted on A&E

Welshpool Town Council is playing catch up after the surprise leak this week that Shrewsbury will be the preferred long term choice for A&E services following a reorganisation.

Campaigners conceded on Monday that the A&E department at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital will close ­ along with the Women’s and Children’s Centre which opened just two years ago at a cost of £28 million.

The claims, which have not been confirmed, come as the Future Fit review of health services moves to a critical stage.

Despite the cat being let out of the bag, so to speak, Welshpool Town Council said it will still move forward with its process of consultation and is awaiting official confirmation.

“The Town Council is aware of the press coverage regarding a preferred option to keep the emergency care services at Shrewsbury,” said a statement this morning. “A formal announcement on the preferred option will be made by the Shrewsbury Telford Hospital Trust later in October with a consultation period to follow taking place between December and March.

“The Town Council will be consulting residents in January 2017 when all facts will be known and a meaningful response can be made.”

The Mayor Cllr Steve Kaye added: “We have been working with the Shrewsbury Telford Hospital Trust to ensure we get the best deal for our residents and will continue to do so. I have also met with the Mayor of Oswestry with our respective Town Clerks to forge a working relationship together giving a combined approach. It is hoped that we can work with Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Newtown to achieve the objectives which are common to us all.”