NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICBs welcome new Chief Medical Officer

9 July 2026

NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Boards are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Salma Reehana as Chief Medical Officer for the cluster.

Dr Reehana is currently Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Black Country ICB. She is an experienced healthcare leader with a strong track record in clinical governance, strategic transformation and system-level leadership. She is also a committed advocate for reducing health inequalities and has been recognised for her contributions to women’s health, cancer care and primary care. She will commence in her role on the 1 September 2026

Simon Whitehouse, Chief Executive Officer for NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dr Reehana as Chief Medical Officer. Her experience will be invaluable as we deliver our priorities and strengthen our shared focus on collaborative working to bring about positive change for our communities.

“Dr Reehana’s clinical leadership and commitment to addressing health inequalities have made a significant contribution to improving access and outcomes for marginalised groups in the Black Country. She has also helped drive transformation in women’s health and support the integration of primary care and mental health. I look forward to working with her, and with the shared leadership across both ICBs, to deliver improved outcomes for our diverse communities across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.”

Dr Reehana said: “I am delighted to be joining the SSOT ICB and STW ICB cluster as Chief Medical Officer. It is a privilege to build on the strong foundations already in place and to work alongside such dedicated colleagues. Together, we will continue to strengthen systems that deliver the highest quality care for patients.

“I am particularly passionate about tackling health inequalities and ensuring that every community has fair access to the support and services they need. I look forward to collaborating with partners across the system to drive meaningful improvements and make a lasting difference for the populations we serve.”

The appointment of Dr Reehana completes the recruitment of the executive team, which is now as follows:

Chief Executive Officer – Simon Whitehouse

Chief Finance Officer – Claire Skidmore

Chief Officer: Strategy & Improving Outcomes – Dr Lorna Clarson

Chief Officer: System Development & Integration – Phil Smith

Chief of Staff – Mish Irvine

Chief Nursing Officer – Vanessa Whatley

Chief Medical Officer – Dr Salma Reehana

Simon Whitehouse added: “Following Dr Reehana’s appointment, I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Dr Rachel Gallyot, who has been acting as interim Chief Medical Officer for the cluster. Dr Gallyot’s hard work and professionalism have helped support us through this period of transition and made a positive impact in shaping our future structure and ways of working. She will now move into her substantive Deputy CMO role in the ICB Cluster and will work closely with Dr Reehana on the strategic commissioning agenda.”