The Boards of Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust (ShropCom) and The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) are exploring the benefits of forming a Group model to increase resilience and continue to strengthen local services.

This follows the approach taken by other NHS trusts across the country to improve care for patients through joint working and offer greater value for taxpayers.

Under the proposals the trusts would remain as separate statutory organisations, whilst seeking to appoint a shared leadership across both organisations to oversee strategy and service delivery.

These plans are currently in the early stages of development and need to go through an assurance process with NHS England before any final decisions are made.

You can find out more about the Group model proposal in our presentation and in our short animation below.

The two trusts have also appointed Jo Williams as shared Chief Executive (CEO). This will further the collective ambition to improve services for the communities across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, the Black Country and borders and Mid Wales. Jo will lead both organisations working with Andrew Morgan, as Chair in Common.

What is a Group model?

The trusts would remain as separate statutory bodies led by a shared Chair in Common and Chief Executive.

Different NHS organisations take different approaches to shared leadership, as a result there is no single group model or legal definition.

Groups tend to have a centralised leadership whose role is to set strategy and oversee governance, standards and procedures for organisations in the group. They are an opportunity to share priorities, learning and offer greater value for money for taxpayers.

We are working with other NHS organisations who have formed Group models in England to share learning and best practice as we explore a local Group model that best meets the needs of our communities.

Any trusts who seek to become a Group will need to complete an assurance process with NHS England.

Thank you for getting involved in shaping our future

On Tuesday 23 September, the two Boards of The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust and Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust will be meeting to consider the establishment of a Group Model between the two organisations.

This meeting will be held in public at 10.15am at the Shropshire Education and Conference Centre, Mytton Oak Road, SY3 8XQ and will provide the Boards with an opportunity to consider and debate the Case for Change.

Listening to feedback from staff, partners, volunteers, patient and community representatives during the Summer, the Case for Change sets out the benefits, issues, risks and mitigations of the two Trusts working more closely together. The Case for Change and agenda for the meeting is available in the Board papers on our websites.

To find out how to attend the Board meeting, or ask a question, visit:

Board meeting papers for Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust

Trust Board Papers – SaTH

How will this affect my care?

These changes mainly affect our Board and leadership (the way we manage our hospitals and services). If we do decide to become a Group, over time we hope patients and staff will see benefits through joint working leading to better care for everyone.

Further information will be shared, as the trusts work towards becoming a Group.