A&E to be based at Shrewsbury

There was relief for over 70,000 Montgomeryshire residents tonight after it was confirmed that Shropshire’s main A&E unit will be based at Shrewsbury, and not Telford.

Clinical commissioners approved the preferred option for the Future Fit reorganisation of hospital services, which will see Telford's A&E downgraded to an urgent care centre.

But it was a tumultuous meeting at Harper Adams University, Newport, where some of the 200 people present shouted abuse at the panel.

Telford & Wrekin Council has now called for the government to intervene.

The decision means Telford's Princess Royal Hospital will become the home of planned care, with Royal Shrewsbury Hospital also housing most women and children's services.

The joint meeting of Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Groups was told the option would mean fewer people have to travel further and it provided best value for money.

The programme to overhaul services at the county's two main hospitals, which are also used by many patients from Mid Wales, began in 2013.

NHS bosses said it was needed to make sure services were sustainable for the future. Residents and the council have been fighting the idea of downgrading its A&E and raised concerns about services moving from the £28m purpose-built women and children's centre, which opened in 2014.

Work will now begin on a final business case, with all changes to be made by the start of 2025.