The Petition of residents of Montgomeryshire,
Declares that the petitioners oppose plans to move the Special Care Baby Unit, the Children’s Ward and some maternity services from Shrewsbury to Telford.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take all possible steps to prevent these services being moved from Shrewsbury to Telford.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Glyn Davies, Official Report, 23 March 2011; Vol. 525, c. 1053.]
[P000907]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Health:
The issue referred to has been subject to a local consultation exercise. I am asking NHS West Midlands to ensure the views of the petitioners are taken into account.
I am advised the consultation document, “Keeping it in the County”, published by Shropshire County Primary Care Trust (PCT), NHS Telford and Wrekin, and Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, outlines why the local NHS believes change is needed to some of the services it provides in the Shropshire area. These include in-patient children’s services and services provided in the maternity building at the Royal Shrewsbury hospital site. Proposals are based on evidence supporting the delivery of the bulk of children and maternity services at Princess Royal hospital, Telford. Midwife led care would continue to be available at both sites as is currently the case and children’s out-patient services would also continue to be available at both sites. I understand public consultation began on 9 December 2010 and concluded on 14 March 2011. Issues identified as part of that consultation needing further work will be addressed as part of the next phase of the local process.
Health is a devolved responsibility. In England, PCTs are responsible for improving the health of their local community, securing the provision of high quality services and integrating health and social care locally. In Wales, Local Health Boards fulfil a similar function. Both the Department of Health and the Welsh Assembly Government recognise that some patients resident in one country will receive care on the other side of the border, for reasons of practicality or preference. For this reason, both Governments send representatives to the Cross Border Health and Social Care Group, which meets to discuss topical cross border issues. They have also, with input from the NHS in England and Wales and the Wales Office, agreed a “cross border commissioning protocol”, which seeks to address some of the consequences of the diverging structures of the NHS in England and Wales. The document circumscribes the responsibilities of the commissioners of health services.
The Petition of residents of Shrewsbury and Atcham,
Declares that the petitioners oppose plans to move the Special Care Baby Unit, the Children’s Ward and some maternity services from Shrewsbury to Telford.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take all possible steps to prevent these services being moved from Shrewsbury to Telford.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Daniel Kawczynski, Official Report, 23 March 2011; Vol. 525, c. 1053.]
[P000908]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Health:
The issue referred to has been subject to a local consultation exercise. I am asking NHS West Midlands to ensure the views of the petitioners are taken into account.
I am advised that the consultation document, “Keeping it in the County”, published by Shropshire County primary care trust (PCT), NHS Telford and Wrekin, and Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, outlines why the local NHS believes change is needed to some of the services it provides in the Shropshire area. These include in-patient children’s services and services provided in the maternity building at the Royal Shrewsbury hospital site. Proposals are based on evidence supporting the delivery of the bulk of children and maternity services at Princess Royal hospital, Telford. Midwife led care would continue to be available at both sites as is currently the case and children’s out-patient services would also continue to be available at both sites. I understand public consultation began on 9 December 2010 and concluded on 14 March 2011. Issues identified as part of that consultation needing further work will be addressed as part of the next phase of this process.