Spotlight Session on Primary Care: Dr Claire Fuller Visits Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin

By Dr Lorna Clarson, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin

Last Friday (1 August), we were delighted to welcome Dr Claire Fuller, Co-National Medical Director of Primary Care for NHS England to Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, alongside Dr Vijay Rawal, Regional Primary Care Medical Director, and Clinical Fellow Dr Declan Dudley.

The visit provided a valuable opportunity to highlight the excellent work taking place across our system, and to engage in an open and constructive dialogue about the future of Primary Care and its position within our local health partnerships.

The agenda was packed, the intent was positive, and the room was full of energy and ideas. The session brought together a wide range of voices ready to discuss their work, our future ambitions, and local challenges - particularly in relation to rurality and health inequalities.

I was proud to showcase the progress made in partnership with our Primary Care and system colleagues, including presentations on the establishment of the GP Board, its achievements to date, and the vision for its future. The national team also heard how STW is championing place and neighbourhood working and integrating services through initiatives such as the Women’s Health Hub programme and the Highley Health Centre in co-production with our local authorities and other system partners.

The importance of local priorities within national guidance was a key theme, particularly in discussions around moving some of our hospital services to the community, through initiatives such as the dementia multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), as well as integrated neighbourhood teams, and the primary and secondary care interface.

Presentations also covered the innovative work of the Winter Illness Centre, led by Dr Charlotte Hart and Nina Grix, and its role in building a more proactive and responsive model of care.

Claire brought constructive challenge and insightful considerations through a national lens - prompting discussion from the room in all the right ways. It sparked rich clinical debate and provided an excellent opportunity to capitalise on the feedback within the room, and to consider the work still to do.

It was felt by many that the session highlighted the shifting narrative around Primary Care, as well as the STW system, and reflected a sense of momentum and shared ambition to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients and residents.

I would like to thank everyone who presented, contributed, or worked behind the scenes to make this session such a success. Claire commented on the passion and commitment to patient care within the room, as well as keeping our residents at the heart of everything we do, and I certainly echo her comments.

Thank you all.