On 1 April 2023, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board (ICB) will become responsible for the commissioning of community pharmacy, community optometry and NHS dental care services across our system.

These services have previously been commissioned and managed by NHS England in the Midlands.  However, delegation in April 2023 will allow Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB to consider how those services can best serve our local populations and will be integral to the ongoing development of the system’s Integrated Care Strategy.

Staff at NHS England in the Midlands who are currently responsible for commissioning and managing these services will continue to do so as part of the delegation agreement. They will be responsible to a group of ICBs who will come together in committees in common, rather than directly for NHS England.

In April 2024, further specialised services such as cardiac and kidney services, currently commissioned by NHS England in the Midlands, will also be delegated to ICBs. This will again enable Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB to shape these services to better fit our local populations, together with the insight of our ICP partners.

At present, colleagues at Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB and NHS England in the Midlands are working together to help smooth the transition, sharing information and data, finance and contracting details as well as setting up governance and quality procedures.

Simon Whitehouse, Chief Executive Officer of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB, said: “Teams have been working for more than two years on how to delegate these services and to ensure they are smoothly integrated into our organisation. It makes perfect sense.

“I look forward to working more closely with local pharmacies, optometrists and general dental practices from April and continuing to develop an approach that aligns to the needs of our population.”

To find out further information about the delegation of pharmacy, optometry and dentistry services, and what it means to you, please click here to find the presentation provided by NHS England.