On Tuesday 23 September, at our first Boards in Common meeting, we agreed to establish a Group between SaTH and ShropCom. We are working on establishing this by April 2026.
There’s been a huge amount of work that has happened to get to this stage. Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback to help inform our Case for Change We have a lot in common and there is a real determination for us to work together to deliver a modern and innovative NHS that will realise the NHS 10 Year Plan Our next steps will be to:
Develop governance and leadership structures - aim to become a Group by April 2026
Involve you in developing our vision and values and culture
Encourage conversations between teams to identify opportunities for collaboration
An interview with Shelley Ramtuhul, Director of Governance at ShropCom and Anna Milanec, Director of Governance at SaTH
Shelley Ramtuhul
How will a Group model improve patient care/experience?
Shelley:
At the recent staff engagement sessions, we heard many examples of how the two organisations already work well together for patients. Whilst this is a positive start, there can be no doubt that having unnecessary or duplicated systems and processes can be a hinderance I believe that by removing organisational boundaries where we can, we will reduce the negative variation that exists It will be exciting to take the best systems and processes both organisations have, making it better for staff to do a good job and in turn improve the care and experience for patients
Anna:
Across both organisations, we have circa. 10,000 colleagues, each one of whom brings experience, knowledge, and ideas to support each other to provide the best care that we can for our patients By pooling resources, and with the appropriate assurance frameworks in place, we can all make a difference for our patients and communities
Anna Milanec
What are the benefits to colleagues and ways of working?
Shelley:
It will mean that staff will have opportunities to expand their skills and experiences - whether that’s being part of a bigger team or being able to work in different areas It will provide a platform and opportunity for learning and innovation which will ultimately reduce waste and benefit patients by delivering safe and effective care
Anna:
We should look at this as a time of excitement, with ‘at scale’ opportunities to go further and better than before, and to be ‘Better Together’ The governance frameworks that we set up across the organisations will provide a foundation for this and also provide more opportunities to engage and raise any concerns or queries that colleagues may have, with the aim of making the working environment across the Group a more inclusive place to work.
What is the impact on governance practices?
Shelley:
The Group model will offer a unified purpose, supported by a shared approach to governance across the two organisations This should make it easier to make decisions across traditional boundaries that often get in the way and will enable quicker and more effective decision making Our joined-up approach to clinical and corporate governance across both organisations will mean we have a real chance to realise all the benefits for patients and staff by working together
Anna:
Having common appropriate governance arrangements in place, means that we can work together at pace, and the increased experience and knowledge that we share will make us stronger as two organisations
“By pooling resources, and with the appropriate assurance frameworks in place, we can all make a difference for our patients and communities.”
Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback to help inform our Case for Change. Watch our new animation which brings to life what this means for colleagues, partners and patients.
