The changes include concentrating inpatient surgery at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and merging women’s and children’s inpatient services at the Princess Royal Hospital by 2014.

Adam Cairns, Trust Chief Executive, said: “Everyone is welcome to come along to this informal session, where you’ll have the chance to view the latest plans for the new Women and Children’s Unit, ask questions and find out how you can get involved in shaping the future of your local hospital services.”

The new Women and Children’s Unit at the Princess Royal Hospital will be for:

• Women who need a consultant-led birth
• Gynaecology and breast services if you need to stay in hospital
• Children who need to stay in hospital overnight
• Children’s cancer services, which will based in a brand new unit

The unit is subject to the approval of both a planning application, which will be submitted to the local planning authority in the coming weeks, and the Full Business Case for the wider reconfiguration project, which will be submitted to the relevant health boards in spring 2012. If both are approved, work will start on the new unit in the summer, with an expected opening date of summer 2014.

The meetings will be held on:

– 6 February 2012 at the Shropshire Education and Conference Centre (RSH) in Seminar Room 1 at 6pm
– 8 February 2012 in the Education Centre Lecture Theatre (PRH) at 6pm

There is no need to book on these events, just turn up.