Whitchurch may be given the opportunity to comment on the Future Fit consultation.

Dr Julian Povey, chairman of the Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) last week [DEL THURSDAY, JULY 7] gave a strong indication that the north Shropshire town may host an event in the coming weeks.

It comes after it was asked at last month’s Whitchurch Local Joint Committee meeting why the town had not been included in a list of eight public exhibition events that include an opportunity to discuss the proposals with health bosses and clinicians.

The nearest locations to Whitchurch would be at Market Drayton on August 2 and Oswestry on August 15.

Those events are being supported by more than 70 ‘pop-up’ information events.

Dr Povey said: “So far, we have done around 30 of the 70 pop-up events, so just over half, but we are happy to put on more if they are needed and we are looking at an extra event in Whitchurch.”

He also said there would be pop-up events coming to other north Shropshire areas after many of the early events focused on the south of the county, and Telford and Wrekin.

Dr Povey’s comments come as the midpoint review of the Future Fit consultation is set to begin next week.

It will take around a month to compile and will look at the demographics of responses to the 14-week consultation.

So far, between 1,000 and 1,500 responses have been received.

Dr Povey said they are urging younger people to make sure their voices are heard.

He continued: “We are looking to target parent groups and young adults.

“A lot of people who are going to respond to this are going to be those who already have concerns over how they will be impacted or have an interest in it, but we also want to hear from others.”

The Future Fit consultation is proposing two options that would move emergency care onto one hospital site at either the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital or the Princess Royal in Telford with planned care based at the other.

It runs until September 4.

For more information visit nhsfuturefit.org/get-involved