Strong Start for Health Strategy Aiming to Improve Care and Restore Financial Balance

Following the launch of a refreshed financial strategy in June, health leaders at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (NHS STW) are pleased to report early progress towards improving patient outcomes and restoring financial balance across the local health and care system.

Approved by the NHS STW Board earlier this year, the new finance strategy sets out a clear three-year plan focused on delivering better care, improving services, and ensuring that spending is both affordable and sustainable. Encouragingly, the system has already met its financial target for quarter one this year, demonstrating that consistent, focused action is helping to deliver real progress.

The overall strategy provides a clear financial framework and the direction needed to deliver transformational plans across the health and care system, as well as improvement plans for services. It enables change and drives quality, whilst also ensuring that funding is directed to where it will have the greatest impact.

Claire Skidmore, Chief Finance Officer for NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said: “More than just a financial plan, this strategy sets out how funding will be used to drive service improvement, support better health outcomes, and deliver on wider ambitions such as integrated care, community-based services, and prevention.

“We’re already seeing that by working to the plan, the system is making more informed and sustainable decisions – ensuring every pound delivers the greatest possible value for our patients and communities. We’re encouraged by the progress so far and remain committed to building on this strong start.

“Financial recovery and service transformation go hand in hand, and as we move forward, a greater proportion of our budget will focus on work to reduce pressures in our hospitals and improve long-term outcomes for our patients.”

Vanessa Whatley, Chief Nursing Officer at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said: “As clinicians, our focus is always on delivering the best possible care and improving outcomes for our patients. We know that to do this, we must continue to evolve how services are delivered, making sure they are designed around the needs of our communities and are sustainable for the future.

“We recognise that some of the changes ahead may be difficult, but they are essential to ensure that care remains safe, effective and accessible. This strategy supports a shift towards the kind of care that helps people stay well for longer and reduces pressure on our hospitals. By working differently and using resources wisely, we can create a stronger, more responsive health and care system that delivers better outcomes for everyone.”

As the financial strategy is implemented by NHS STW, members of the public can expect regular progress updates, and more opportunities to get involved in shaping local health services through public engagement exercises.

To find out more, and to read the Integrated Care System Finance Strategy, please visit the NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin website.

As the healthcare commissioning organisation for the county, NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin bases its decisions on clinical evidence and is focused on improving outcomes for patients.

We have a Strategic Decision Making Framework which is used to help leaders ensure that resources are used to create the most value for our patients and communities.

Currently, NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin spends £1.447 billion every year, split between:

• Acute (our hospital settings) – 53.5%
• Community (those services located in community settings) – 11.2%
• Individual Commissioning (where healthcare decisions are made on a case-by-case basis) – 7.1%
• Mental Health – 9.8%
• Primary Care (which includes General Practice, Community Pharmacy, Dental, Optometry and Prescribing) – 17.4%
• General Running Costs – 1.1%

See diagram on the left below.

Our health and care system currently employs about 11,500 full-time equivalent staff, and their pay alone costs £683 million out of our total budget of £1.447 billion. See diagram on the right below.