The Health and Wellbeing Board of Shropshire Council met on Thursday 09 July 2026 to discuss a range of topics focused on improving the health and wellbeing of residents across the county. Key areas scheduled for discussion included the strategic alignment of neighbourhood working, updates on medication access and veterans' healthcare experiences, and the findings of joint strategic needs assessments concerning pregnancy and birth, and drug and alcohol use. The Board was also set to review the Better Care Fund performance and plans, the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin 5-year strategic commissioning plan, and progress against the council's corporate plan.

Neighbourhood Working in Shropshire

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the strategic alignment of neighbourhood working in Shropshire. The report presented proposed the development of a single Shropshire neighbourhood framework and roadmap. This initiative aims to consolidate existing programmes and reforms, such as Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, Community and Family Hubs, and prevention funding, into a coherent model. The goal is to improve access to services, reduce duplication, strengthen preventative measures, and ultimately achieve better outcomes for residents, particularly considering Shropshire's rural geography and dispersed communities. The Board was asked to consider the strategic direction, support the next phase of alignment work, and consider a future decision report on the preferred neighbourhood model.

Healthwatch Shropshire Reports

The Board received updates from Healthwatch Shropshire on two key reports: 'Access to Medication in Shropshire' and 'Veterans' Experiences of Accessing Healthcare in Shropshire'. The 'Access to Medication' report highlighted concerns about timely access to medication, with findings indicating that while the NHS App and local pharmacies were praised by some, others experienced unacceptable waiting times and system inefficiencies. Recommendations included improving waiting times, addressing system inefficiencies, exploring ways to reduce stock shortages, and addressing variations in experience across different pharmacies.

The 'Veterans' Experiences of Accessing Healthcare' report, compiled in partnership with Shropshire Council's Armed Forces Outreach team, revealed mixed experiences among veterans. While positive feedback was given for individual staff and local mental health services, recurring concerns included inconsistency, poor communication between services, and a lack of awareness of entitlements. Key recommendations included introducing routine identification of Armed Forces service, simplifying the recording of veteran status, improving communication between GP and hospital services, and strengthening staff understanding of veterans' healthcare entitlements.

Children and Young People JSNA: Pregnancy and Birth

The meeting included a discussion on the Children and Young People Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) Chapter focusing on pregnancy and birth. This report provided an overview of key indicators related to maternal and newborn health and wellbeing in Shropshire. Areas identified for improvement included early access to maternity care, with Shropshire's performance being lower than national averages. The report also highlighted higher-than-average rates of smoking in early pregnancy and noted concerns regarding data quality for certain indicators. Recommendations included continuing efforts to reduce teenage conception rates, increase early midwifery bookings, improve data collection on risk factors, and enhance vaccination rates for pregnant women.

Drug and Alcohol JSNA

A Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) for drug and alcohol use in Shropshire was presented, aiming to inform the commissioning of community-based treatment and recovery services. The assessment indicated an increase in adults accessing treatment, with alcohol-only clients forming a significant proportion. There was also a notable rise in young people accessing services, with alcohol being a primary concern alongside cannabis. Key findings highlighted rural access barriers, higher unmet need for certain drug groups, and co-occurring mental health needs among those in treatment. Recommendations focused on strengthening early intervention for young people, improving equity of access in rural communities, and embedding family-focused approaches within treatment pathways.

Better Care Fund (BCF) Performance and Plans

The Board reviewed the 2025-26 Better Care Fund (BCF) End of Year Template and the 2026-27 BCF Assurance Return. Shropshire was reported to be on track to meet national BCF metrics for emergency admissions and residential admissions, although the discharge delay metric was not achieved in the previous year due to specific service decommissioning. Future plans for BCF funding were noted to align with neighbourhood health planning, with a continued focus on admission avoidance, timely discharge, and reablement. The report also highlighted challenges related to limited financial resources for preventative services and the complexities of providing services across a rural county.

Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin 5-Year Strategic Commissioning Plan

An update was provided on the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (STW) Five-Year Strategic Commissioning Plan for 2026/27–2030/31. The plan outlines a roadmap for improving health and care outcomes based on five key shifts: hospital to community, analogue to digital, sickness to prevention, improving access, and value and productivity. It details priorities across urgent and emergency care, elective services, mental health, and services for children and young people, with a strong emphasis on integrated neighbourhood teams and preventative care. The plan acknowledges financial constraints and the need for workforce development and digital transformation.

Shropshire Council Corporate Plan

The Board received an update on the Shropshire Council Corporate Plan 2026-2030, titled 'Rebuilding Shropshire Together'. The plan's core principles are to be Sustainable, Resilient, and Together. It sets out priority ambitions that align with the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, including a financially sustainable council, safe and inclusive places, opportunities for health and thriving, a thriving economy, connected communities, and a focus on the environment and wellbeing. Delivery commitments include a single Children's Transformation Programme, an Adults Social Care transformation programme, and the recommissioning of public health services.

Shropshire Integrated Place Partnership (ShIPP) Update

An update on the Shropshire Integrated Place Partnership (ShIPP) was presented, highlighting its role as Shropshire's Place Partnership Committee with shared collaborative leadership. The last meeting, held on 18 June 2026, was quorate and well-attended. Key discussions included the Shropshire Drug and Alcohol JSNA, the Five-Year Strategic Commissioning Plan, and an update on the Renters Rights Act 2025. The Board also considered the next stage of Place Universal Offer development, with a focus on three geographical areas for targeted investment.

Health and Wellbeing Board Performance Against Measures of Success

The Board reviewed its performance against key indicators. Areas showing improvement since the baseline included a reduction in hospital admissions for unintentional and deliberate injuries in children and a decrease in hospital admissions as a result of self-harm. However, healthy life expectancy for both males and females had reduced, and the suicide rate had risen. Other areas of concern included the percentage of children achieving a good level of development, children in care rates, and the prevalence of overweight and obese adults.

Pharmacy Updates

Updates were provided on changes to pharmacy services in Shropshire. These included the consolidation of pharmacies in New Street, Shrewsbury, and the change of ownership for the pharmacy at The Cross, Gobowen. These updates are part of the ongoing monitoring and management of pharmaceutical needs within the county.