Your last chance to SAVE health services

Health professionals, campaigners and Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies are urging the Welshpool area to turn out in force tonight for a public meeting to block health cuts that, they say, will put lives in danger.

 

The meeting, at the Royal Oak from 7pm, is open to all and will be the last chance to object to vital services being shifted from the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (right) to Telford.

 

The public consultation period comes to an end next month when recommendations are finalised by the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Hospitals Trust for consideration and, at the moment, it is not looking good for us.

 

“I have been shocked by the refusal to listen to Mid Wales being shown by Shropshire's NHS bosses,” said Mr Davies who has campaigned against the reduction in services for nine years. “We must do everything we can to change their minds. I have been working closely with Shrewsbury’s MP, Daniel Kawczynski over many years, but we need help. We need the people of Mid Wales to rise up in protest against the shocking way in which Shropshire's NHS bosses intend to treat them.”

 

And campaigners are urging all residents not to be ‘armchair whingers’ but to make their voice known tonight at the meeting.

 

Helen Jervis has picked up 3,700 signatures on a petition and will attend tonight’s meeting.

 

“I plead with people to go and show Mid Wales patients do care,” said the young mother. “We need to have that wow factor when the panel walks in and sees how many people are there. This is the last chance for the public to air their concerns.”

 

The Welshpool meeting follows one in Llanidloes last Friday night which was attended by 250 residents. There will be a third meeting in Newtown tomorrow night (Thursday).

 

Mr. Davies has spoken about the issue in the House of Commons twice in the
last three weeks and made one final impassioned plea to his constituents.

 
“These three public meetings are the most important for our health services in Mid Wales for many years. I plead with everyone who cares about protecting our access to emergency services in Shrewsbury to come to these public meetings and make their voices heard.

 

“I have been fighting this battle for many years, and this is our last chance to tell Shropshire's NHS bosses that we object bitterly to their plan. The proposals treat Mid Wales as if no-one lives here. During my 30 years in public life, I have never been so angry about disruption to our public services.”