Unease was growing this week after hospital bosses confirmed three part-time chaplains’ contracts will not be renewed after April.
Officials for the Princess Royal and Royal Shrewsbury Hospital insisted that the move was being made to create a better service and not to cut costs.
Changes, which include restructuring the two full-time chaplains timetable, could start late spring with a round-the-clock chaplain service and a Saturday chaplain.
Bishop of Shrewsbury, the Rt Rev Dr Alan Smith, said: “I am extremely concerned that the plans seem vague and it is unclear whether the new arrangements are actually deliverable. I intend to keep a very close eye on the situation.”
Alan Millward, chairman of the Friends of the Princess Royal, said: “It’s unbelievable. I still say it is a cost-cutting exercise.”
Telford MP, Mark Pritchard, said: “The hospital bosses should rethink their decision.”
Julia Buckley, director of corporate affairs, said they were restructuring the working day for the two full-time chaplains and developing new services and support.
It had been decided not to renew the contracts for three part-time chaplains, amounting to three days cover a week across the two sites. “This support will be replaced as we are developing new arrangements to use our resources to provide a more comprehensive service for all of the patients.
“It’s important to note we do not plan to make any financial savings.”
