15 February 2019

The first two houses being renovated in a bid to attract doctors to Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) have been completed.

SaTH Chair, Ben Reid, talks to Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, Shaun Davies at one of the refurbished doctors’ houses

The houses opened at PRH following a DIY SOS-style appeal. The project, spearheaded by Telford & Wrekin Council, has seen individuals, businesses, town and parish councils and community groups donate time and money to the cause. Work on the remaining two houses is set to start at the end of the month and expected to be finished by June.

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), which runs PRH and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, is the first in the country to house its junior doctors for free.

Speaking inside one of the new houses, Ben Reid, Chair of SaTH said: “This represents an incredible showing of support for this hospital and its community.

“As everyone knows, it’s tough working within the NHS at the moment, particularly in this Trust.

“But here we stand, delivering top-quality, free accommodation that gives us an edge when people are deciding where to make their career.

“I want to thank everyone who has been involved. This hospital belongs to the people of Telford & Wrekin; it’s what they talk about and what they rely upon and everyone in this community has done an outstanding job to ensure we attract the brightest people to come and work here.”

Parish and town councils from across the borough have donated more than £30,000 towards the project, along with businesses and individuals donating materials and resources.

Shaun Davies, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said the community spirit that had been shown was breathtaking: “For our healthcare and economy, we know that we need to attract brilliant junior doctors and nurses to come to Telford and Shropshire to train, work, and live here, and this is a real tangible example of the community coming together with the local NHS.”

Dr Jenni Rowlands, Director of Post Graduate Education at SaTH, said: “The refurbished doctors’ houses are absolutely fantastic, and beyond my wildest expectations. We look forward to attracting the brightest junior doctors to the Trust.”

The Trust also has plans to relocate the Doctors’ Mess at PRH from its current old building to inside the hospital, developing a community space for doctors and nurses to use.

Julia Clarke, Director of Corporate Governance at SaTH, said: “We hope to start the work next month to coincide with the ongoing work on the houses.