The units the community initiative has provided are credited with helping to the Princess Royal Hospital attract its next group of junior doctors, who start later this summer, without any need for advertising.

The community sponsored refurbishment grew out of a discussion between a PRH consultant anaesthetist and Telford & Wrekin Council’s Leader to provide accommodation to help attract much needed junior and middle grade doctors to Telford.

Eight months on four units offering shorter term accommodation are completed, with the first two already occupied and the next two awaiting the arrival of a new group of junior doctors who start at the PRH in a few weeks’ time.

Late last year the Council co-ordinated a public appeal for help to refurbish the houses resulting in a huge response from businesses, local councils and other organisations stepping forward with donations of materials, fixtures, fittings, time, expertise and more than £40,000.

Cllr Raj Mehta, cabinet member for Communities said: "This is a fantastic achievement and we’re hugely grateful to everyone who has rallied round to work so positively for our hospital. This will play a vital helping to attract and retain key medical staff here.

“This shows how much the community supports the PRH and everyone who works there. It is fantastic to see these efforts are already bringing such positive results in attracting staff here and helping it have a more secure future.

Dr. Chris Mowatt, the consultant anaesthetist who came up with the idea, said: “We need a hospital and community that has a highly trained medical workforce. 

These houses provide free accommodation for junior doctors which has already attracted, without advertising, a full cohort of junior doctors for next year. 

“We know that effect will ripple out and those junior doctors are our consultants of the future, essential for building a vibrant hospital.”

A further two houses for junior doctors will also be refurbished in the coming months, bringing the total number brought back into use at the PRH to six.

The following businesses and organizations have supported the appeal:

•Alan Ball Flooring •CLC Contractors Ltd •Codelocks Ltd •Steve Cureton •Dawley Hamlets Parish Council •Denso Manufacturing UK Ltd •Dimension Data •Dulux Paint •Geomitre •GMB Wellington •Granville Construction •Great Dawley Town Council •Hadley & Leegomery Parish Council •Idris Contract Flooring •J Daniel Carpet & Flooring •Paul Jones •Mary Lewis •Limetree Landscape Services & Nurseries Ltd •Madeley Town Council •Margaret Malcolm •MCS Building Services Shropshire Ltd •Newport Town Council •Oakengates Town Council •Preece Burford Ltd •PROCare Ltd •QA Shropshire •Resin Floors Telford •Reviive Telford •Dave Roscoe •Shropshire Blinds •St Georges and Priorslee Parish Council •The Wrekin Housing Trust •Tikkurila •Emma Tilley •Trovex •TWS •Vortex Cleaning •Wellington Town Council •WSP •Wrockwardine Wood & Trench Parish Council.