Healthcare plans outlined

Patients in Shropshire and Staffordshire could get to choose the hospital where they wish to be treated, under proposals published by the Strategic Health Authority.

A report has outlined a series of ways in which healthcare for people in the county should be improved over the next three years.

The proposals recommend that patients should be able to book hospital appointments from their local GP's surgery.

The report adds that waiting times should not exceed three months.

Further recommendations include improving care for elderly patients once they have left hospital.

The report says that change for the better could be promoted in many different aspects of healthcare if the NHS is able work more closely and effectively with local councils.