Shropshire healthcare plans take step forward

A pilot group has launched to test out plans for a community-based service that will help identify people in need of earlier intervention and care, according to a new report to Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group's governance board.

Meanwhile expressions of interest will be sought from GP practices who wish to participate in the pilot.

Plans to create a 'hospital at home' service and health crisis response team have also been drafted.

People are expected to be able to have their say on the plans in February and March.

The proposals are being developed by health commissioners, and will be influenced by feedback given by GPs, health providers and patients at a series of workshops.

A new report to Shropshire CCG's governance board, which meets on Wednesday, says: "The outputs from those workshops will be harnessed and used to refine the final proposed model options, to then commence the formal option appraisal process from May 2019 onwards."

A shake-up of services is expected as Shropshire CCG develops its 'care closer to home' model, which it said would address an 'unhealthy dependence' on hospitals.

It aims to improve health outcomes for people aged 65 and over with multiple long-term health conditions.

The first phase of the plan has already been put in place with a frailty intervention team based at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital’s A&E department.

Planning is under way to expand this service to Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital.