Full planning permission granted for new healthcare facilities at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
South Shropshire MP, Philip Dunne has welcomed the news despite fears from Telford residents
Plans to improve hospital care in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Mid-Wales have taken a significant step forward, with full planning permission granted for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital development.
This follows the news of the formal approval of the Outline Business Case (OBC), and official contractor announcement which will enable the transformation of hospital services across the communities it serves.
As part of the Hospitals Transformation Programme (HTP) the Princess Royal Hospital site will specialise in planned care and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital site will specialise in emergency care. These plans have been led by our clinicians and operational staff who have been fully involved in the development process.
Further initiatives, together with HTP, are all part of long-term plans to provide high quality, sustainable healthcare. Significant progress is being made following multi-million pound investments. This includes the purpose-built Community Diagnostic Centre in Telford, and a dedicated Planned Care Hub expected to open in Spring 2024 at the Princess Royal Hospital.
Under the plans RSH will become home to the county's only 24-hour A&E, along with consultant-led women and children's services – which will relocate from PRH.
In a statement SaTH said the plans would provide 'high quality, sustainable healthcare'.
It said: "As part of the Hospitals Transformation Programme (HTP) the Princess Royal Hospital site will specialise in planned care and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital site will specialise in emergency care.
"These plans have been led by our clinicians and operational staff who have been fully involved in the development process.
"Further initiatives, together with HTP, are all part of long-term plans to provide high quality, sustainable healthcare. Significant progress is being made following multi-million pound investments.
"This includes the purpose-built Community Diagnostic Centre in Telford, and a dedicated Planned Care Hub expected to open in Spring 2024 at the Princess Royal Hospital.
"The clinically led HTP plans at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital will address our most pressing clinical challenges and establish solid and sustainable foundations upon which to make further improvements.
"The new build at the RSH site will provide an integrated emergency department and emergency care facilities, including an Urgent Care Treatment Centre, acute medical floor, and a Critical Care Unit.
"The plans will also include a consultant led maternity unit, children’s services including outpatients and surgery, gynaecological services, consultant neonatal services.
"The development will also dramatically improve the look and feel of the site through a new entrance, improved hospitality offers, and enhanced patient drop off facilities."
However - Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council - Shaun Davies - told us last week that he'd do all he could to challenge the plans which he fears will have a negative affect on those living in the Telford area.