LUDLOW nurse Tracey Huffer believes there is a chance to take a new look at the planning of future health care in south Shropshire.

The nurse at a GP practice in the town and also member of Shropshire Council for Ludlow East believes the ‘Future Fit’ programme is no longer fit for purpose.

She believes that the decision of Ludlow GP Dr Caron Morton to step down from the leadership of the Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group marks the time to look at a new approach.

No reason has been given by the Clinical Commissioning Group for Dr Morton’s decision or information provided about her future plans other than a statement that she is on ‘authorised leave.’

Tracey Huffer’s call for a review also follows a survey underway in Ludlow that reveals that most people don’t know much about Future Fit and that those who do know about it do not trust the project to deliver the right decisions.

“The problem has been that this project has been based on what might be, rather than what can be,” said Mrs Huffer.

“Future Fit has spent a lot of time considering options that can’t be delivered.

“It has only recently ruled out a new accident and emergency unit midway between Shrewsbury and Telford. But it has always been obvious that we could never afford the half-a-billion pounds a new hospital would cost.

“At the same time, Future Fit has largely ignored the very significant problems that rural areas like Ludlow face in getting access to health services.

“It has failed to recognise the contribution that community hospitals like Ludlow are making and can make to health care.

“Now is the time for a root-and-branch review of the future of Future Fit.”

She wants the programme redesigned to be more practical with stronger recognition of the needs of rural communities and the difficulties they have in getting access to expert heath care.

The nurse and councillor believes that the survey being undertaken by herself and fellow Ludlow councillors Andy Boddington and Vivienne Parry is showing some important results.

“Early results suggest that a quarter of people have never heard of Future Fit,” said Tracey Huffer.

“Nearly one third says they have heard of the project but don’t know enough about it. Two-fifths of people responding so far say they don’t trust Future Fit to make the right decisions.

“Just three per cent of people trust the project to make the correct decisions.”