Shropshire's health service is at risk of a 'system failure' this winter which could see A&E departments closed.
Shropshire's health service is at risk of a "system failure" this winter which could see A&E departments closed.The county is one of ten regions NHS England has flagged for concern due to lengthy ambulance handover delays. A system failure would mean a collapse in social care capacity that leaves hospitals unable to admit or discharge patients, leading to A&E departments being overwhelmed and even having to close temporarily.
Shropshire Defend Our NHS campaigner Gill George said a system failure in the county would be"entirely predictable", and that the NHS is"grotesquely underfunded". NHS England has instructed local areas to provide two-hour community response services to try and prevent vulnerable people being admitted to A&E departments.
“This comes in addition to our already announced plans to increase number of hospital beds and call handlers, so it remains vitally important that people continue to come forward for care when they need it in the usual way by using 111 online or by calling 999 in life-threatening cases."