Report attached.

Gareth Wright, Director of System Improvement, Co-ordination & EPRR, NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent

The ICB Director, System Improvement and Emergency Preparedness presented the System Winter Plan and outlined the lessons learned from the previous winter. It was reported that those lessons had informed the development of a revised cluster-wide plan covering Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Staffordshire. The Board was advised that the approach was supported by a unified system command and control structure and a single system coordination centre, which would oversee and coordinate the response to pressures affecting urgent and emergency care.

The ICB Director, System Improvement and Emergency Preparedness confirmed that the plan was structured around four key phases: ensuring winter readiness; reducing rising pressure; sustaining the system response; and exiting the winter period in a stable position. It was explained that the plan was underpinned by the continuation of system-wide interventions, including measures to improve patient flow, the reconfiguration of services, and communications activity intended to support self-care and increase vaccination uptake.

The Board was advised that the system operated under a cluster ICB model with Staffordshire, while continuing to recognise and respond to local needs. Interventions introduced during the previous winter, including modular ward capacity and assessment spaces at acute sites, remained in place and continued to support improvements in patient flow. It was noted that early January was a recurring period of heightened demand and increased system vulnerability. The winter planning arrangements therefore included a specific focus on known pressure points, including bank holiday periods and the early Easter period.

The preparedness measures included the continued use of modular wards and enhanced assessment spaces to improve patient flow and reduce unnecessary admissions. The Board was informed that work was continuing to expand same-day emergency care and frailty-focused services, subject to their ongoing development. A system-wide communications campaign would promote self-care, encourage the appropriate use of services and support increased vaccination uptake. Collaboration would also continue across NHS providers, local authorities and voluntary, community and social enterprise partners to support the management of demand throughout the winter period.

During the discussion, Board members emphasised the importance of vaccination uptake and preventative activity, together with the need to align the winter plan with the wider work relating to public health and inequalities. They sought assurance regarding changes to capacity and the effect of those changes on winter readiness. In response, it was clarified that the additional bed capacity formed part of a wider service reconfiguration strategy and did not represent a straightforward expansion of capacity. Concerns were also raised regarding the reliability of forecasting and the system's preparedness to respond to variable levels of demand. It was acknowledged that national modelling remained under development. Board members further emphasised the importance of targeted planning for vulnerable populations and of recognising geographic variations in demand across the county. Particular attention was given to discharge planning, and it was agreed that discharge processes should commence at the point of admission and be supported through coordinated multi-agency working.

RESOLVED:

to note the System Winter Plan and to support the winter communications strategy, particularly the promotion of vaccination against seasonal illnesses.

that system partners continue to work collaboratively to deliver winter preparedness measures across health and care settings.