THERE is more frustration about lack of information about the future of health services for Ludlow and south Shropshire.

The man who has led the campaign for improved health care in the town for more than a decade claims that there is a complete lack of information about future services.

He believes that a huge opportunity is being lost to use hospitals like the one in Ludlow to cut waiting lists and to take the pressure off the acute hospitals in Shrewsbury and Telford.

Mr Corfield also wants more information made available about the help that is available from minor injury units.

Peter Corfield, chairman of the League of Friends of Ludlow Hospital, is frustrated that health chiefs have he believes taken a vow of silence.

“The long-awaited developments promised and agreed by Future Fit have retreated into Purdah, once again,” said Mr Corfield.

“At the heart of this long-overdue review was the need to address the sustainability of hospital facilities across Shropshire and Powys and the obvious failure of political and financial judgements made in 1980.

“The wholesale closure of cottage and community hospitals in Shropshire in order to afford new hospitals in Shrewsbury and Telford nine miles apart has truly come home to roost in the 21st century and has created the unacceptable financial and workload pressures endured by Accident and Emergency today.

“We are firm in our belief that a vital component in solving this 40-year-old conundrum has to be the part to be played by Community Hospitals.

“The delivery of ‘Care closer to Home’ is oft quoted as the current panacea to deal with all ills – but there is little concrete action to support such an ideal.

“Some actions, which could be taken now, are very simple – instead of local road signs stating ‘Hospital – No A&E’ why not state what we do have, i.e ‘Hospital – Minor Injuries Unit’ which would be inexpensive and more informative!

“Since 2006 various enhancements to the Minor Injuries Units, such as video-conferencing access to Accident and Emergency incorporating patients’ vital data (blood pressure, ECG, etc) have been proposed, all of which could lead to fewer unnecessary ambulance transfers to Shrewsbury, Telford or Hereford – all to no avail.

“Our mums to be still have to trek to Telford for ante-natal scans when there is fully configured ultrasound available at Ludlow! It just beggar’s belief.”