The Secretary of State for Health today updated Telford’s MP Lucy Allan on developments at SaTH including Future Fit.
The Health Secretary, Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, was responding to the MP’s inquiries into progress made by the Independent Reconfiguration Panel, who were instructed to review the controversial Future Fit proposals and make recommendations to the Health Secretary.
The Health Secretary confirmed that he had received the recommendations from the panel and was considering all the evidence and would be making a decision in due course. He further confirmed the grant of £312m to the Trust modernise hospital services across the County.
Lucy Allan said: “I was pleased to receive an update from the Health Secretary and confirmation the Panel has completed its review. The Health Secretary said he hopes to have progress soon which will be very welcome. The Future Fit plan which never considered Telford’s needs, was conceived by hospital management so long ago that it must now be obsolete. The proposal must be revisited to take account of Telford’s needs which continue to grow and the changes within the Trust. With no permanent Chief Executive in post and the Trust still in Special Measures, it is clear Future Fit cannot simply be given the green light hence the delay. This is a record amount of funding (£312m) and the Trust must show it can use this money to ensure Telford’s health needs and outcomes will be addressed. I have been unable to obtain any such reassurances from the Trust management.”
