The Health and Wellbeing Board of Shropshire Council met on Thursday, 19 March 2026, to discuss a range of critical public health issues. Key decisions included the endorsement of the Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolic (CVRM) Strategy, the approval of the Better Care Fund (BCF) assurance return, and the acceptance of recommendations from Healthwatch Shropshire reports on medication access and veterans' healthcare experiences. The Board also reviewed updates on community safety, domestic abuse, drug and alcohol strategies, mental health, and SEND provision.

Shropshire Community Safety Partnership Annual Report

The Board received the Shropshire Community Safety Partnership Annual Report for 2024-25. The report detailed the partnership's priorities, which included reducing reoffending, tackling drug and alcohol misuse, addressing hate crime, domestic abuse, violence reduction, and anti-social behaviour. It highlighted a transition year for the partnership, with the Board separating from safeguarding functions and establishing sub-groups for operational delivery. Despite this change, achievements were noted, including the implementation of a Serious Violence Strategy, the establishment of locality meetings to address local concerns, and the delivery of hate crime sessions in schools. The report also presented crime data, showing a downward trend in overall crime and violence with injury, though increases were noted in bicycle theft and certain sexual offences. Hate crime figures showed a slight reduction overall, but an upturn in the last quarter was observed. Anti-social behaviour incidents also saw a reduction. The report detailed funding contributions from various agencies, including Shropshire Council, West Mercia Police, and the Integrated Care Board. Prevent and Channel referrals saw a significant national increase, and a local action plan focused on education and awareness. The Serious Violence Duty strategy was also highlighted, recognising violence as a public health issue. Several Shropshire initiatives were detailed, including Climb Page and 3 Steer 1 Clear for young people, and new projects like Right Path and BrightStar Boxing aimed at promoting healthy relationships and diverting young people from violence. Anti-social behaviour was addressed through locality meetings and updates to the Community Trigger Process. Hate crime sessions were offered in schools, and the SSCP website's hate crime page was reviewed. Domestic abuse needs assessment and strategy development were underway, with Integrated Offender Management continuing as a successful programme for reducing reoffending. Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) were ongoing, with learning from these reviews being embedded. A diagnostic review of case reviews was commissioned to identify recurring themes and necessary changes. The report concluded with next steps, including the development of an updated strategy and action plans for the CSP, with a focus on domestic abuse, Prevent, anti-social behaviour, road safety, drug and alcohol misuse, and reducing reoffending.

Domestic Abuse Update

An update on domestic abuse in Shropshire was presented, highlighting progress in strategic planning, partnership governance, and the integration of lived experience. The report detailed the completion of the 2024 Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment and the development of a new multi-agency Domestic Abuse Partnership Strategy, which was undergoing public consultation. Reforms to the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board (DALPB) were noted, aimed at improving leadership accountability and decision-making efficiency. The integration of survivor voices into strategic design and commissioning was a key focus, with the Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) influencing priorities and methods of engagement. Data maturity had also improved, with dashboards now informing decision-making. Key insights from the needs assessment indicated significant mental health impacts on victims, rising case complexity, and sustained demand across services. Recommendations to the Board included supporting data sharing, enabling rural outreach, and championing survivor-inclusive commissioning. Risks such as data gaps, rural inequalities, and workforce capacity were identified, with proposed mitigations including strengthened reporting, digital outreach, workforce development, and formalised survivor remuneration.

Drug & Alcohol Strategy Update

The Board received an update on drug and alcohol treatment activity in Shropshire. Adult treatment numbers had increased, exceeding the 2025/26 ambition. Young people's referrals had also risen, reflecting national trends, though Shropshire was slightly below its ambition. Adult treatment showed a rising proportion of alcohol and cocaine use and a decline in opiate use, with alcohol being a significant factor in Shropshire. For young people, cannabis remained the most common substance but was declining faster than nationally, while alcohol-related treatment was increasing locally, contrary to regional and national trends. Treatment exits and successful completions had increased for both adults and young people. Key local developments included the completion of the Drug and Alcohol Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) in March 2026, preparations for recommissioning the core service, the successful delivery of a community detox, strengthened arrangements for reviewing drug and alcohol-related deaths, progress on the Blue Light Project, and engagement in specialist webinars.

Mental Health – Suicide Prevention Update

An update on suicide prevention in Shropshire revealed a concerning increase in the local suicide rate, which stood at 13.5 per 100,000, statistically higher than the England average and the highest in the West Midlands. The report detailed activities to address this, including the launch of the Orange Button Community Scheme to train volunteers, the publication of a GP/Primary Care Preventing Suicides Toolkit, and the promotion of the Staying Safe from Suicide Guidance. A new training matrix for suicide, bereavement, and self-harm was published, and suicide and drug/alcohol death learning review panels were established. Enhanced data intelligence through a real-time surveillance system was also in place. The Board was asked to note the actions and activities, adopt the Staying Safe from Suicide Guidance, promote the new training matrix and the Orange Button Scheme, and agree to extend the existing Shropshire Suicide Prevention Strategy for a further two years.

SEND JSNA

The Board reviewed the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) for children and young people aged 0-25. The JSNA provides a comprehensive picture of needs, bringing together evidence on socioeconomic influences, wider determinants of health, and data on mental and physical health and social care needs. Key findings highlighted that 57% of the population live in rural areas, with longer travel times to school and pronounced barriers to housing and services in these areas. The SEN population in Shropshire has increased rapidly, particularly among children with Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs). Social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) was identified as the most prevalent primary need across all SEN pupils. Educational attainment was noted as lower for children with SEN, with higher rates of persistent absence, exclusions, and suspensions. Social care referrals for children with disabilities have declined, but the complexity of needs is increasing, particularly for Children in Need, Children Looked After, and those with Child Protection Plans. The health section highlighted that GP learning disability registers show an inequality gradient, with the most deprived quintile having the highest prevalence, and common comorbidities including epilepsy and asthma. Recommendations focused on early identification, prevention, inclusion, child-centred practice, integrated pathways, system quality, data assurance, and preparation for adulthood.

Better Care Fund (BCF) – Q3 Template

The Board reviewed the Better Care Fund (BCF) 2025-26 quarter three template, which had been submitted to NHS England. The report confirmed alignment with national reforms and the NHS 10-year health plan, focusing on integration, prevention, neighbourhood-based services, reducing hospital admissions and discharge delays, and supporting independence. Performance data indicated that Shropshire was on track to meet its metric plans for emergency admissions, discharge delays, and residential admissions. Concerns were raised about the accuracy of data for the residential admissions metric, and this had been communicated to the national BCF team. The Board approved the 2026-27 BCF Assurance Return and the 2025-26 BCF End of Year Template.

Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolic (CVRM) Strategy

The Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolic (CVRM) Strategy and Delivery Plan was presented, outlining a system-wide approach to addressing these conditions, which remain the second leading cause of death in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin. The strategy aims to shift from single condition management to an integrated multimorbidity model focused on prevention, early detection, and equitable access to interventions. Key priorities include reducing unwarranted variation, improving treatment rates for hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol, and embedding prevention accelerators through the National Neighbourhood Health Programme. The plan includes Year 1 milestones such as system engagement, revised governance, local action plans, and workforce training. The strategy directly supports the Integrated Care Board's (ICB) objectives for prevention, reducing health inequalities, and improving outcomes for people with multiple long-term conditions.

ShIPP Update

An update on the Shropshire Integrated Place Partnership (ShIPP) was provided. The last ShIPP meeting focused on the new contract for Children & Young People's Mental Health Services (CAMHS). The Health & Wellbeing Board and ShIPP annual planning workshop discussed progress against the Shropshire Health & Wellbeing Strategy, agreed focus areas for 2026, and looked ahead to priorities for a strategy refresh. Key outcomes from the workshop included agreeing that an independent patient voice is crucial, with a working group to be formed; adopting the Marmot principles with a focus on rurality; clarifying the purpose and membership of governance groups; and discussing future priorities for the strategy. Next steps include forming a Healthwatch working group, working towards adopting Marmot principles, tidying and clarifying governance, and further exploration of priorities.

Pharmacy Updates

The Board received an update on pharmacy services, specifically notification of changes to supplementary opening hours for Day Lewis Pharmacy in Oswestry. The total opening hours and core hours were detailed.

Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee

The Board noted the information regarding the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee.