Campaigners fighting the proposed shake-up of hospital services have warned of a potential ‘riot’ if organisers of a crunch meeting do not arrange a larger venue.
Bosses of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust are due to attend the public meeting tomorrow at 7pm at Shrewsbury Town Football Club.
People fighting the plans to move services, including children’s inpatient care and consultant maternity facilities from the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital, will be staging a peaceful protest beforehand at the ground from 5pm.
But organisers of the protest are concerned that the meeting room will not hold more than 300.
They have contacted health bosses urging them to arrange a larger room but organisers say they have booked the largest room available and it is too late to change the venue.
Campaigner Wendy Hayeck said around 200 people attended the initial consultation meeting before any real publicity or campaigning got under way so many more could be expected tomorrow.
Sarah Makin, the communications and engagement manager at the PCT who is overseeing the consultation project, said: “It’s not an option to change the venue. It’s been advertised for weeks and is the second event of its kind to be held in Shrewsbury. It’s one of the largest rooms available in the town and we’re expecting to have enough room for everyone who wants to attend.”
By Anna Williams
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