A letter from Patricia Davies Chief Executive Shropshire Community Health Trust

Dear all,



The Trust has been pleased with the level of response and engagement from the public on the issue of the Bishop’s Castle inpatient service and would like to thank those that have given their time to share their views. The Board recognises that it has a difficult decision to make and that there is an enormous strength of feeling amongst the local community. It has therefore been committed to making sure that staff, patients, carers and the wider public and stakeholders are involved in the decision being made and have had every reasonable opportunity to provide their views. We have adapted and the extended the engagement process where possible to ensure this is the case.



Through the suggestions and questions raised through various forums and communications, including the recent public meetings held so far, it is clear that the public feel that the Trust should further explore the recruitment opportunities for the area. We would not wish to delay making an important decision simply to repeat the same attempts already made over the last 18 months as there is no reason to expect these would yield any different result. Therefore, in listening the concerns raised, the Board decided to commission an independent recruitment report with the aim of providing two key assessments; firstly of the Trust’s recruitment attempts to date and whether these have been sufficient and secondly of the labour market we are seeking to recruit from and whether there is anything different we could explore.



In light of this additional work, we will not be in a position to make a decision at the Public Board Meeting on 3^rd August as the Board would like this information available to be considered as part of their decision. Accordingly, the agenda item planned for the decision on the Bishop’s Castle Inpatient Service is being deferred to the meeting on 7^th September. Whilst the September meeting would ordinarily be a Private Board Meeting, the Trust is going to hold a session in public to discuss the Bishop’s Castle Report and make it’s decision to enable staff and members of the public to attend and observe if they wish. The meeting is planned to take place in Bishop’s Castle and the time and venue will be confirmed shortly.



Whilst we understand there may be disappointment that the decision is being delayed, we hope this demonstrates the seriousness with which the Board is taking its duty to ensure that any decision is based on the fullest and most thorough information possible and that if there are further options to successfully recruit that these will be explored.



Patricia Davies

Chief Executive

Shropshire Community Health Trust