Local NHS boards have nodded to grant approval to proposals to reorganize some hospital services in Shropshire.

There are plans to shift children's and maternity services from the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.

There is a need to lessen the risks, if any, and for this there is a need to develop certain details, Dr Leigh Griffin, chief executive of Shropshire County and Telford and Wrekin PCTs, said. The changes will be beneficial to patients, according to the trusts.

An outline business case will be put up by the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust soon.

Dr Griffin added, “The primary care trusts wanted the hospitals trust to communicate the case in a way that dispels some of the very genuine concerns that we heard. More than 20,000 people signed a petition against the move of consultant-led maternity and paediatric services from Shrewsbury to Telford.”

There has been a criticism of the plans that has come from Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski and Glyn Davies, MP for Montgomeryshire.

Local populace from rural Shropshire is served by the Shrewsbury hospital and this included people from mid Wales.