POLITICIANS from the Green Party have criticised plans to shake up county-wide emergency health care.
A joint statement from the Shrewsbury and North Shropshire Green Party, and South Shropshire Green Party branches, said the Future Fit plans to create a single emergency department to cover the whole of Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin was offering a “false choice”, pitting the people against each other, and could lead to further financial issues.
They also said other hospital trusts across the country have attempted similar measures leading to longer journey and waiting times, patients being left in ambulances and hospital corridors, and worse patient outcomes.
It comes after the six Labour Party branches in the region joined forces last week to criticise the proposal that is currently out for consultation, which would see an emergency department created at either the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital or the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
The statement from Charlie Bell, David Latham and Hilary Wendt described both options are “unattractive”.
They continued: “Experience in other places shows that when one A&E unit closes, the surviving A&E department becomes overwhelmed with extra patients.
“Far from securing patient safety, these exercises in cost and staff reduction
add dangerously to travel times and lead to more queues for treatment.”
The branches have now teamed up with Shropshire Defend Our NHS – which has also spoken out against the proposal – to host three information events in Shrewsbury throughout July to explain why they are urging the public to say no to creating a single A&E.
The statement added: “Our NHS in Shropshire is not getting the money it needs to continue to provide the good and safe service residents deserve. This is the issue which needs addressing, not the false choice between one bad option or another.
“We need an NHS that works for Shropshire and, as a wealthy nation, we can afford it. This is why, whatever political party you support, you are invited to attend one of the information sessions we are running on behalf of the Green Party with the support of Shropshire Defend Our NHS.”
The sessions will take place on:
Monday, July 2 from 7pm at Lindale Court, Copthorne Rd, Shrewsbury, SY3 8NU
Sunday, July 8 from 2pm at Radbrook Community Centre, Calverton Way,
Shrewsbury SY3 6DJ
Thursday, July 12 from 7pm at Darwin Communty Centre, Frankwell, Shrewsbury, SY3 8JU
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