This is an opportunity to offer vital outreach services for those that are physically, socially and geographically isolated.

Colleagues from across health, social care and the voluntary sector are currently exploring the potential for a mobile service which can visit communities across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin. This could include a range of information and advice and services such as medication reviews; physical health checks or immunisations.  The ‘offer’ on the bus could be tailored to the community it is visiting and/or current health and wellbeing priorities and it could also be used for staff facing activities, for example visiting inpatient areas at weekends.

The bus could travel to isolated rural communities and/or target hard to reach groups wherever there was an identified need and sufficient population.  The bus could also visit existing events such as farmers markets. Each journey would include a clinician who would be supported by health and social care colleagues; experts from the services represented; support from volunteers and/or the voluntary sector.

The planning team are currently looking into the practical aspects of putting a bus on the road and seeking support and input from across the community.  If you have any ideas about services that could be provided by having this bus, where you would like to see it go, whether it would be useful to you, your friends and family or any other suggestions please contact: cathy.riley@mpft.nhs.uk