The Health and Wellbeing Board of Shropshire Council was scheduled to meet on 19 June 2025 to discuss a range of topics, including domestic abuse, pharmaceutical needs, drug and alcohol treatment for the homeless, updates on health protection and integrated care, and the Better Care Fund.

Here's a summary of the key items from the agenda:

• Domestic Abuse in Shropshire The Health and Wellbeing Board was expected to review key findings from the Shropshire Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment (2022–2024). The report highlights the prevalence of domestic abuse in the county and the necessity for health-informed responses. Key points from the report included:

  • Mental health issues were the most common disability among victims and survivors.
  • There were 114 suspected suicides in the context of domestic abuse between 2020 and 2022, with 85% of those who died being women.
  • Survivors consistently called for improved mental health support, tailored services, and better awareness among professionals.
  • The estimated annual cost of domestic abuse to Shropshire's health services is £11.13 million.
  • National research suggests that every £1 invested in specialist domestic abuse services could yield a £9 return in public sector savings.
  • The Crossing Pathways Project cost-benefit estimates suggest that for every £1 invested in health services, a saving of £50 could be achieved.

  The report also mentioned the Crossing Pathways project and IRISi interventions, as mentioned in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 statutory guidance[^1]. [^1]: The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 aims to raise awareness and improve the response to domestic abuse, and places duties on local authorities to provide support to victims and assess the need for safe accommodation.

  The board was asked to note the recommendations and task domestic abuse leads from across the Health Partnership/Workforce to collaborate with the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board to strengthen the local response to domestic abuse and reduce its long-term impact.

• Draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) The Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to discuss the draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) for 2025. The PNA is a statutory document that assesses the needs for pharmaceutical services in the area, current provision, and identifies gaps and unmet needs. It is used by organisations such as the NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board[^2] (ICB) and Shropshire Council to plan and commission future services. [^2]: Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are NHS organisations that bring together local health and care organisations to plan and deliver joined-up services to improve the health of people in their area.

  Key points from the draft PNA included:

  • Shropshire has a predominately rural population with a high concentration of older people.
  • There are currently 43 community pharmacies and 17 dispensing GP practices in Shropshire.
  • Approximately 91% of residents are within a 10-minute car journey of a community pharmacy or dispensing GP practice, but only 48% are within 10 minutes using public transport on a weekday morning.
  • The distribution of pharmacies per head-of-population is lower than the national average.
  • There is limited access to pharmacies on Sundays, weekdays after 6pm, and Saturdays.
  • There is a need to increase awareness of the services that community pharmacies provide.

  The board was asked to note the contents of the presentation and report and provide feedback before the statutory 60-day public consultation.

• RESET Programme The Health and Wellbeing Board was expected to receive an update on the RESET programme, which provides drug and alcohol support to those homeless or at risk of homelessness in Shropshire. The report highlighted that the RESET programme takes a multi-agency approach, working with partners such as the Rough Sleeping Team, drug and alcohol services, health services, and voluntary sector organisations. The services are largely centred around Shrewsbury, but pockets exist across the county. The report also noted challenges in rurality and dispersed temporary accommodation, as well as recruitment and sustainability issues due to the annularity of funding.

• Better Care Fund (BCF) 2024-25 End of Year Template The Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to approve the Better Care Fund (BCF) 2024-25 end of year template. The BCF aims to support people to live healthy, independent, and dignified lives by joining up health, social care, and housing services. The template includes performance data relating to avoidable admissions, discharge to normal place of residence, falls, and residential admissions.

• Better Care Fund (BCF) 2025-26 Plan The Health and Wellbeing Board was expected to approve the 2025-26 BCF Plan. The BCF Policy Framework sets out a shift in the aims, funding, oversight, and support arrangements, with a focus on achieving the aim of the government to make the BCF work better for local authorities and the NHS by reducing administrative burdens and providing greater flexibility to meet the objectives of supporting the shift from sickness to prevention and supporting people living independently and the shift from hospital to home.

• Health Protection Update The Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to receive an update on health protection in Shropshire, including immunisation coverage, seasonal vaccinations, communicable diseases, and sexual health.

• Shropshire Integrated Place Partnership (ShIPP) Update The Health and Wellbeing Board was expected to receive an update from the Shropshire Integrated Place Partnership (ShIPP), which is a partnership with shared collaborative leadership and responsibility, enabled by ICB governance and decision-making processes. The report provided an update of discussions in March and May 2025.