How we engaged

Before the consultation

From the beginning, Future Fit has been led by doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff – the people who deliver our services day in, day out.

Many members of the public across the county took part in our ‘Call to Action’ survey in 2013 and events and accepted that there was a need to make big changes. They have since taken an active part in the design and development of the model of hospital care.

Over the course of the four years leading up to the consultation, we listened to and involved thousands of local people, including NHS staff, patients and community groups. We held a series of public roadshows, focus groups, conducted surveys and delivered presentations to a wide range of audiences, from parish councils to young people’s forums and senior citizen forums. We also undertook two Integrated Impact Assessments (IIAs), which assess the potential impact and equality effects of the changes we are proposing. The IIAs were taken into account as part of the CCGs’ decision-making process in considering their preferred option.

Our Future Fit Pre-Consultation Engagement Report summarises the engagement that has been carried out since 2013 around the Future Fit programme until the start of the formal public consultation in 2018.

During the public consultation

Future Fit Findings Infographic Final small

We used a wide variety of methods to engage with the people of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and mid Wales as part of the Future Fit consultation.

We held 13 public exhibitions, which provided people with an opportunity to meet our doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, find out more and ask questions. Approximately 900 people attended these events.

We also held 74 pop-up displays in community and public spaces across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and mid Wales, including community centres, town centres, libraries and leisure centres. At our pop-ups, we gave out consultation materials and signposted people to our public exhibition events and, in total, we engaged with over 3,100 people.

Throughout the consultation period we presented at 28 council meetings and attended or presented at more than 150 meetings with seldom-heard groups.

We engaged with staff at both CCGs and SaTH, including providing regular face-to-face briefings, and consultation materials and surveys were distributed to all staff areas. We also engaged with GPs across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, providing them with regular updates, including at monthly GP Forum meetings.

Throughout the consultation we continued to provide regular engagement with our key stakeholder, including SaTH and CCG boards, the Joint Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC), Healthwatch, CHC, PTHB and Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Councils. We attended their meetings to provide updates on the consultation and provide members with the opportunity to ask questions and share their views.

 

After the public consultation

We are committed to improving hospital services for the people of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and mid Wales and we will continue to engage with patients, the public and other stakeholders over the coming years as the Future Fit programme progresses. Check back on our website or sign up for our e-newsletter to stay up-to-date.