HEALTH chief Simon Freeman has been out and about seeing some of the problems involved in delivering care in rural south Shropshire.

Simon Freeman, the new chief executive of the Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group, paid a visit to see for himself the problems of delivering health care in rural Shropshire.

He was invited by three local councillors Heather Kidd (Chirbury and Worthen), Jonny Keeley (Bishop's Castle) and Nigel Hartin (Clun).

“I think today's visit went very well,” said Heather Kidd.

“We had a tour of Bishop's Castle, Clun and Newcastle on Clun showing Simon a brief glimpse of our sparse rurality.

“This was followed up with a meeting with Bishop's Castle and the Clun Medical Practices and representatives of the patients group and the League of Friends.

“The discussion was full of ideas to improve service delivery and efficiencies. Some great ideas on alternative working and new working models. Ideas for attracting new GPs to our area were also discussed which is a challenge at present.

"Clun and Bishop's Castle doctors have faced difficulties recruiting in recent times. This is common across England."

Local doctors and surgery managers will work together with Simon Freeman and Shropshire Council's Public Health leader Professor Rod Thomson to take this forward to provide different but better rural health services.