PRIME Minister Sir Keir Starmer has again been challenged to visit Oswestry to see for himself the impact of government policies on the area.

After he was challenged to visit the infamous Llynclys Crossroads to see for himself the danger of speeding traffic.

And now North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has urged him to visit the world-renowned Veterans Orthopaedic Service at Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital (RJAH), asking him to help solve their problem with a funding shortfall.

RJAH, based in Gobowen, is a world renowned specialist hospital delivering high quality, sustainable orthopaedic and related care.

It hosts the Veterans Service, which is the largest provider of specialist hospital care for veterans in the country, delivering more than 30,000 veteran patient appointments since it opened a decade ago.

READ MORE: Prime Minister Keir Starmer told to fix Llynclys Crossroads

But, according to Mrs Morgan, that despite the facility costing no extra public money to set up, NHS changes in the way that Integrated Care Boards charge each other have meant that RJAH has a funding shortfall this year.

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This is because the service treats patients from all over the country and not just those from the local area. 

The MP this week called on the Prime Minister to visit the site and intervene; however, he failed to provide any specific commitment to the centre in his response.

She said: “The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital in Oswestry in my constituency is home to the Veterans Orthopaedic Service, and that's by far the largest provider of veterans hospital care in the country.

“It's a fine example of what you can build when the NHS and the local authority work together. It cost no extra public money to set it up, but because of NHS changes in the way ICBs charge each other, it's been left with a funding shortfall.

“Will the Prime Minister come and visit this fantastic facility in beautiful north Shropshire and see for himself why it's so important we keep it going?”

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The Prime Minister replied: “I thank the Honourable Member for raising that issue, and we're all grateful to our veterans for their service in protecting our country.

“I do understand the value of the centre that she references and the support that it provides for veterans.

“We are committed to ensuring veterans receive the employment, the mental health and the housing support that they need.”