Programme Director for Mental Health appointed to NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin ICS page thumbnail

In 2021, NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin wanted to explore the development of a local provider collaborative for all-age mental health commissioning. This has resulted in the development of a joint post, the Programme Director for Mental Health that will work within the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care System (ICS) and Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT).

Cathy Riley, Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for Mental Health, Learning Difficulties & Autism Programme said: “I am delighted to announce that we have appointed Shameem Akhtar as Programme Director for Mental Health, who will commence with us on 31 October.

“Shameem has senior-level experience in commissioning, programme management and operational leadership within a mental health trust. She will work with stakeholders to develop and deliver our road-map for the formation of a local provider collaborative for mental health. Over recent years, strong relationships have developed across system partners and commissioners as we have delivered the mental health programme, and Shameem’s work will build on this.”

A key aim of the ICS is to bring commissioning and service provision closer together in order to improve collaboration and the development of joined up pathways of care across organisations, e.g. primary care, secondary care, mental health, social care and the voluntary care sector.

Shameem added: “I am looking forward to leading our programme for mental health to drive forward integration within the region. We will bring together all those involved in planning and providing mental health services to take a collaborative approach to agreeing and delivering more joined-up services, working hard to improve the lives of local people.”

This post will be hosted in the Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin care group of MPFT, Shameem will report to Cathy Riley, Managing Director MPFT and SRO for the mental health, learning difficulties and autism programme in the ICS and work closely with Claire Parker, Director of Partnerships and Place in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin ICS and Steve Grange, Executive Director of Strategy and Strategic Transformation / Deputy CEO at MPFT.