Stroke services in the county

Joint statement from Karen Calder, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, and Dr Caron Morton, Chief Accountable Officer, Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group, following a meeting of Shropshire Health and Well-being Board on Friday 22 November 2013: 

“The temporary consolidation of stroke services at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford was driven by the necessity to provide a robust and effective service for patients.  This specifically concerned the need to ensure sufficient consultant availability. 

“We are confident that this is now delivering improved outcomes for stroke patients, and data is being collated and will be subjected to thorough scrutiny and analysis. 

“We would like to reassure residents and patients that no final decision has yet been taken about the long-term future of stroke services for Telford and Wrekin, and Shropshire.  The decision will be taken as part of wide-ranging service review.  This will involve public consultation and assurance panels, and there will be opportunity to listen to all organisations and individuals who want to have an input. 

“While all concerns will be addressed by the review, the primary consideration must be patient safety.”