A final count has shown that more than 18,500 responses were received in the Future Fit consultation in Shropshire.
The proposals will shake-up hospital services in the county and would see emergency and planned care separated if given the final nod by health chiefs.
The Future Fit plans will also see the county having one emergency centre at either Royal Shrewsbury Hospital or Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital.
The total number of responses received in the public consultation was 18,874 – meaning more than three per cent of the population served by the county’s two main hospitals had their say.
Health bosses say the figure is considerably higher than the average response rate for UK public consultations.
The 15-week public consultation ended last month.
Mr David Evans, chief officer at Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group, has thanked the people who responded.
He said: “We’re really pleased that we’ve been able to hear from a wide range of people across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales so we can take people’s views and concerns into consideration before making a decision.”
Dr Simon Freeman, accountable officer at Shropshire CCG, said: “The huge response to the consultation shows how much people care about their local hospitals.
“Their feedback will help us to make sure that we provide the best possible healthcare to the population of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales.”
During the consultation period, around 900 people visited the 13 Future Fit public events, and more than 3,100 people were engaged with as part of a programme of 74 pop-ups.
Around 150 events and engagement sessions were held with seldom-heard groups during the consultation, as well as 28 council meetings.
All feedback is currently being collated and analysed by independent consultation specialists, who will then produce a report which will be considered by the Future Fit programme board and the boards of Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin CCGs.
The joint CCG committee will convene early next year to make a final decision.
Article originally appeared on Shropshire Star
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