PLANS to combine maternity and children's services into one big, modern unit at Telford will mean a longer journey for patients from Powys.
In this video news report, some of the bigger issues are discussed by those involved, including NHS bosses and patients affected.
Rather than the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Telford's Princess Royal offering identical, small-scale services in aging facilities, the plan is to have each hospital specialise in different things - Shrewsbury in acute surgery and major trauma, and Telford in maternity and paediatrics.
However, this will mean a big increase in the time and distance it takes for mothers and children in Mid Wales get to hospital in an emergency, prompting strong opposition from people in Powys.
The issues will be discussed here.
Public consultation meetings are being held at:
Llanidloes Community Centre (Feb 18)
Welshpool Royal Oak Hospital (Feb 23)
Newton Elephant and Castle (Feb 24)
The consultaion document with the proposed plans is available at: www.ournhsinshropshireandtelford.nhs.uk