Accessibility Statement

This website has been developed by EMIS Health and is run by the specified organisation. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:

  • change colours, contrast levels and fonts
  • zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
  • navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
  • navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
  • listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)

We’ve also looked to use ‘Plain English’ where possible in order to make the website text simple to understand.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

Keyboard navigation in Mac OS

For keyboard navigation to work in Mac OS an option has to be turned on:

System Preferences Keyboard  Shortcuts

In that panel is a check box labelled “Use keyboard navigation to move focus between controls”. Check that box and Restart your browser for the change to take effect.

How accessible this website is

Although we have used our reasonable efforts to make the website accessible to all we appreciate that some parts of this website are not currently fully accessible, in particular:

  • some of our downloadable documents may not fully accessible to screen reader software
  • there are a limited number of keyboard navigation issues including; menu navigation and notification acknowledgement
  • the site tagline styling may not be deemed to meet accessibility standards
  • table layout for opening times does not use the correct grid format to be deemed fully accessible

As part of our ongoing continuous improvement exercises we are working to further improve on the accessibility aspects of the site.

What to do if you cannot access parts of this website

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille then please:

  • email: mysupport@emishealth.com
  • Call: 0845 124 5245

We will consider all requests and aim to get back to you within 5 working days.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We are always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or identify ways that we can improve accessibility then please do call or email us to report the issue:

  • email mysupport@emishealth.com
  • call 0845 124 5245

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ”Accessibility Regulations”). If you have any concerns or issues with our site and are not happy with how we have responded to your concerns, then you may wish to contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Alternatively, if you are based in Northern Ireland, please contact the Equalities Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

EMIS Health are committed to making its websites accessible, in accordance with the Accessibility Regulations.

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Content that is not within the scope of the Accessibility Regulations

PDFs and other documents

This site may contain older PDFs and Word documents that do not meet accessibility standards – for example, they may not be structured so that they are accessible to a screen reader. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.2 (name, role value).

The Accessibility Regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they are not essential to providing our services.

This site may contain elements that cannot be navigated through using a keyboard. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.1.1 (keyboard).

Plans are in place to rectify these issues as soon as practicable.

Styling Issues

This site may contain elements of styling that are not deemed to be accessible. This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4 (distinguishable).

Plans are in place to rectify these issues as soon as practicable.

Disproportionate burden

Google Maps – There is a limit as to how far you can magnify the embedded Google Maps on our ‘contact us’ page. The code for this map is supplied by Google and we are unable to make amendments to it.

How we tested this website

This website was last tested on 8th February 2021. The test was carried out by the EMIS Health Service Team.

Site compliance was checked using a combination of manual testing and third party tools, including:

 

 

 

An open letter to Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin residents

15 December 2023

 

Joint statement from NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Shropshire Council, The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and West Midlands Ambulance Service.

To the residents of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin,

Winter is upon us, and we need your help to protect you, your friends, your families and our health and care services, which are already under extreme pressure. The level of demand we have seen in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin over the last few weeks has been very high and shows no sign of relenting. It is the same story across the country, and it will likely get even more challenging, especially as we enter the festive period.

As health and care leaders, we give you our word that we are doing everything within our power to see that our communities get the appropriate care they need when they need it. However, we also recognise that some experiences are not as we would expect and apologise for that.

We are taking additional steps to prioritise and maintain safe services for patients. Where possible, we are bringing in additional staff to work in our communities and our hospitals and we are maximising resources to manage urgent and emergency care pressures. Our aim is to prioritise those with the highest needs and ensure that we continue to be able to manage emergency care.

Our staff continue to work exceptionally hard, and we appreciate everything that they are doing to ensure that despite the challenges we face, our services remain open to anyone who needs them.

But we need your support. We write to you today to set out the scale of the challenge and to ask you to take the steps you can to help us and help each other. We are all in this together, your decisions and small actions can make a difference this winter.

The challenge we face

Both Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are seeing sustained and high numbers of patients, with the number of instances of norovirus, which brings on diarrhoea and vomiting, and other respiratory illnesses such as covid, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on the rise.

Our hospitals are very busy and full. This is causing lengthy waits in A&E and delays in ambulances being able to hand over their patients. As a result, ambulance crews are unable to respond to other 999 calls in the community.

We also face delays in discharging patients from hospital – many of whom have complex personal circumstances and needs. This is leading to extended waiting times to access beds and adding to ambulance handover delays.

Our social care and health teams are doing everything possible to support people who are well enough to leave hospital but need ongoing care. Priority is being given to the most vulnerable people.

Your GPs are also under unprecedented pressure. Surgeries are seeing record numbers of patients, and the demand continues to increase.

How you can help

There are some things you can do to play your part in tackling these challenges:

  • Get your covid and flu vaccinations, including the booster jab if you’re eligible. They are simple steps that will help you stay well and reduce the likelihood of you needing other health and care services.
  • If you have norovirus (vomiting and diarrhoea) stop it spreading by washing your hands regularly. If you or a family member have been sick with norovirus, you should avoid visiting hospitals and care homes, and not return to work or school until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped. Also avoid visiting elderly or vulnerable people.
  • Visit NHS 111 Online or call NHS 111 if you or someone you’re with has a medical problem that isn’t life-threatening but requires immediate help, NHS 111 will get you assessed and directed to the right place.
  • If you need to see a GP, they will see you, but you could also be signposted to other clinicians or health professionals who can see you quicker and give you the help you need. That could be a nurse practitioner or pharmacist – these are skilled people who can help you to get well sooner.
  • Consider using your local Minor Injury Unit in Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Oswestry and Whitchurch, which on average have much shorter waiting times. These can provide rapid treatment for urgent, non-life-threatening injuries such as cuts, burns and sprains.
  • Local pharmacies are open seven days a week to offer advice and over the counter medications for minor ailments such as upset stomachs, earache, skin rashes and relief from coughs and colds.
  • Support a loved one to get home from hospital as quickly as possible. Spending as little time in hospital as possible is better for patients. Collecting your loved one from hospital as early as possible will also help free up beds for patients who require admission.
  • If you have a relative or loved one in hospital waiting to be discharged with homecare and community health support, you may help them get home quicker if you and your family can support them at home. If you feel that this is an option that you could consider, please speak to their ward manager or social worker to explore further.
  • Only call 999 or attend A&E departments for genuine life-threatening emergencies.

For more information and to find the right help fast, visit: www.thinkwhichservice.co.uk.

Please help us to help you and those you love. Together, we can get through this winter.

Thank you.

 

On behalf of NHS Shropshire Telford and Wrekin:

Simon Whitehouse, Chief Executive

Dr Nick White, Chief Medical Officer

On behalf of Shropshire Council:

Cllr Lezley Picton, Leader of Shropshire Council

Andy Begley, Chief Executive

On behalf of The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust:

Louise Barnett, Chief Executive

On behalf of Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust:

Patricia Davies, Chief Executive

On behalf of The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust:

Stacey Keegan, Chief Executive

On behalf of West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust:

Anthony Marsh, Chief Executive

On behalf of Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust:

Neil Carr OBE, Chief Executive