Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has challenged the Welsh Government over their role in protecting health services in Mid Wales. Mr Bates is concerned over current proposals to remove some services, which could see patients from Montgomeryshire disadvantaged and has urged the Welsh Government to engage in discussions over the future of vital hospital services, so that patients from Mid Wales do not travel unacceptable distances to access treatment.
Telford and Shropshire PCT Boards are due to look at proposals aimed at keeping vital hospital services in the county safe and sustainable this week. Clinical staff from the Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal hospitals together with local GPs have been considering how to ward off the threat to services faced by the County’s two acute hospitals. The Boards will be told that without urgent changes in the way that services are run, patients may be forced to travel outside of Shropshire for some treatments.
Raising the issue with the First Minister, Mr Bates said:
“This week discussions are taking place over proposals for obstetric, paediatric and neonatal services at the Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal hospitals. Recent changes to maternity and paediatric services at Bronglais and Shrewsbury have also caused some uncertainty. There is a real concern that unless action is taken to ensure more sustainable provision of these services, some patients could be transferred as far as Stoke or Wolverhampton for treatment.
“While some change is needed to ensure that services are provided in the best way possible, it is crucial that patients are not disadvantaged by any proposals. The Assembly Government must engage in the current discussions on behalf of the people of Mid Wales, to keep services as local as possible and ensure that patients from Montgomeryshire are not forced to travel increasingly unacceptable distances to access treatment.”
