Improvements to healthcare provision in rural Shropshire to be discussed

Simon Freeman, accountable officer for Shropshire CCG, visited south west Shropshire on Tuesday after being invited by three local councillors to see for himself the problems of delivering healthcare in rural areas.

He was invited by Chirbury and Worthen councillor Heather Kidd, Jonny Keeley, member for Bishop’s Castle, and Clun representative Nigel Hartin.

The councillors and Mr Freeman discussed ways service delivery could be improved and efficiencies made within the health service in rural parts of Shropshire.

Now, Mr Freeman and Rod Thomson, Shropshire Council’s leader of Public Health, will take the ideas forward to see how the delivery of healthcare can be improved.

Cllr Kidd said: “I think the visit went very well. We had a tour of Bishop’s Castle, Clun and Newcastle on Clun showing Simon a brief glimpse of our sparse rurality.

“We followed this up with a meeting with Bishop’s Castle and the Clun Medical Practices and representatives of the patients group and the League of Friends.

“The discussion was full of ideas to improve service delivery and efficiencies. Some great ideas on alternative working and new working models were shared.

“Ideas for attracting new GP’s to our area were also discussed which is a challenge at present.

“Clun and Bishop’s Castle Doctors have faced difficulties recruiting in recent times. This is common across England."

Local Doctors and surgery managers will work together with Mr Freeman and Mr Thomson to take this forward to provide different but better rural health services.

“This work could prove to be very exciting and innovative,” added Cllr Kidd.

“I look forward to them sharing their work with us councillors.

“Sometimes they will need to challenge the way NHS England work but these services need to start with the patient and then the rules should be set around that to provide good local and safe health care.”