Knee-jerk response to long-term problem? (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Knee-jerk response to long-term problem?

Ludlow Hospital is of course extremely important to our south Shropshire community, as are Whitchurch and Bridgnorth to their communities.

We need to remember that here we are looking at a concerted effort to cut costs across Shropshire.

It includes the A&E provision for the county - and further afield. This has all the potential of setting communities against one another in the fight to save their own hospital.

Little has been said so far about the A&E provision and its potential within the cuts. This is a vital service for all of us in south Shropshire.

When Kidderminster Hospital lost its A&E in the cost-cutting in Worcestershire, the people of Cleobury Mortimer and the surrounding areas were assured that The Princess Royal A&E would always be there for them in full.

Is this still the case? If so, the A&E at the Royal Shrewsbury is sure to be downgraded. The people in mid-Wales and the areas north of Ludlow such as Chirbury, Worthen, Snailbeach and Stiperstones will then all have to travel to Telford if they are seriously ill.

Is this really reasonable? And will it really save money and lives? These are questions that have yet to be answered.

It is far from clear from the consultation. I am sceptical about the possibility of a better, more cost-effective service. Or will they downgrade the Princess Royal?

People in rural areas such as ours already have to travel huge distances for their healthcare. That is set to increase one way or another if this consultation delivers even some of the cuts it proposes.

Rural people have poorer ambulance response times (19 mins average in south Shropshire - eight mins in the urban West Midlands).

The NHS Trust deficit is a national problem, not one just in Shropshire. Should we be fighting for a national solution so that we keep the health provision we have?

I am concerned that this strategy is a rapid response to a long-term problem that we could all live to regret.

Heather Kidd

Leader, South Shropshire District Council

Stone House

Ludlow

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