Leader and MP join forces to retain seven-day Paediatric Service at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council, and Daniel Kawczynski MP for Shrewsbury & Atcham, came together today to make an urgent plea to Shropshire and Telford Hospital Trust (SaTh) to retain a seven-day service at the Paediatric Service at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH).

The call follows the announcement at the recent Shropshire Health and Well-being Board, where members were advised that SaTH were considering a five-day-a-week Paediatric Service (Mondays to Fridays) at RSH, as opposed to a seven-day-a-week service as proposed in the Keep it in the County consultation.

A joint letter signed by both politicians has been sent to SaTh’s Chief Executive Peter Herring stressing their concerns, and urging the Trust to reconsider their proposals which both the Leader and the MP stressed “were very dangerous and posed a series risk to the lives of women and children in Shropshire”.

Keith Barrow said:

“Throughout the ‘Keep it in the County’ consultation two years ago, there was never any suggestion or indication that the Paediatric Service would only be open on weekdays.

“We had supported the proposals of the changes to women’s and children’s services, but made it very clear that this was based on the fact that the Trust would retain the seven-day Paediatric Service with appropriately qualified staff.  It is very disappointing, therefore, that the hospital has seen fit to ignore our comments.

“I am delighted that Daniel has joined us in support of our concerns and has jointly signed this letter.”

Daniel Kawczynski MP added:-

“I am very pleased to join forces with Keith Barrow to challenge the Hospital trust on this vital issue, urging Peter Herring to fulfill the pledge to maintain a seven-day model as previously promised.”