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 agreed to appoint a 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.

Following the appointment of the Chair in Common in Autumn 2024, this important step signals a shared commitment to strengthen joint working for the benefit of patients, service users and families.

What is a Group model?

The trusts will 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 design 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.

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.