FEARS have been raised by Powys Health Campaigners that the re-structuring of NHS services at Shrewsbury and Telford hospitals has stalled.

Health campaigner and Powys County Councillor Joy Jones believes that NHS England will not approve the allocation of capital funds for the re-structuring which means the whole process has stalled.

But NHS Future Fit, which is in charge of the re-organisation, says that it is still waiting for NHS England to sign off on the consultation.

NHS England wants assurances that the £200 million in funding is in place before the proposals can go out to consultation.

There is still no date being mentioned for when the consultation process can start.

Joy Jones said: “I have been told the Future Fit is stalled as it looks as if no approval of NHS capital funds for Future Fit in the near future. This is all putting pressure on Mid Wales and our future care.”

A spokeswoman for Future Fit said they had done everything needed to get the go ahead to start the consultation, but were waiting for confirmation for the capital, said to be in the region of £200 million.

“NHS Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin CCGs (Clinical commissioning Groups) have received formal feedback from NHS England following the Assurance Panel meeting last November and have provided all the information that NHE England requested.

“The CCGs now require confirmation that the capital would be available to support the Future Fit scheme.”

When the NHS Future Fit consultation takes place, residents will have two options:

n Option 1 – The Emergency Care site is at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Planned Care site is at the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford. Both hospitals would have a 24-hour Urgent Care Centre.

or

n Option 2 – The Emergency Care site is at the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford, and the Planned Care Centre site is at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. Both hospitals would have a 24-hour Urgent Care Centre.