Welcome to the Triangle – June 2025
The sun is out, the temperature is rising, and the June edition of the Triangle is here.
Wherever you happen to be reading this latest issue from, we hope you are managing to keep cool, and have found time to safely enjoy some of the recent warm weather we’ve been experiencing.
We all know how easy it can be to get caught out by the sun, so do take a read of the summer safety advice that’s featured in this issue of the Triangle.
As is always the case in the NHS, it’s been a busy few weeks since our last update, and we write to you having just returned from this year’s NHS Confederation Exposition in Manchester.
The two-day event showcases the very best of what’s happening across the NHS, and gives health and care leaders the chance to hear about the latest news and developments from the very people making the decisions that have a tangible impact on the work we do each day for our population.
One of this year’s highlights was hearing the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, talk in detail about what to expect in the NHS 10-Year Plan, which we’re expecting to be published imminently.
The speech is available to read in full on the gov.uk website but, for us, the key takeaway was that much of what the Health Secretary shared with the audience in Manchester is reflective of what we’re doing here across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.
He spoke about devolving power to the frontline, and creating a more diverse and continuously improving health service that delivers better care for patient and better value for taxpayers.
Our ongoing work to transform community-based care in our region, which is being driven forward by a new partnership model led by HCRG Care Group, is just one example of how we’re already aligned with the new direction of travel the government has outlined for the NHS.
There was also a mention of the role ICBs will play in the future form and function of the NHS, with the Health Secretary saying: “They will be responsible for improving their population’s health, closing health inequalities and building the new neighbourhood health service.”
Since our last update on the future of ICBs, our proposal to form a cluster with colleagues in Dorset and Somerset has been formally put forward to NHS England.
We expect to hear back from the national team on our plans very soon.
Behind the scenes, though, our work on preparing for the transition continues to develop at pace, and we already have a number of joint workstreams up and running, with colleagues from each of the three separate organisations coming together to work collaboratively to support the change process.
We recognise that this is an unsettling time for many in our organisation, and we thank our colleagues for not just their unwavering professionalism and understanding, but also for the support and compassion they continue to show towards one another.
In the last edition of the Triangle, we asked readers to keep their fingers crossed for good weather ahead of the topping-out event at the site of the new Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre.
We’re pleased to say that the rain did hold off, and that colleagues from the ICB, along with others involved in the project, including many staff from the nearby Trowbridge Community Hospital, were able to celebrate the construction of the new building reaching its highest point.
It’s been a joy to watch this building take shape so rapidly, and we’re incredibly excited that the people of Trowbridge should now be able to see their new integrated care centre towering above the perimeter hoardings.
Over the last few weeks, we’ve been out and about in Trowbridge to meet with residents and community groups to provide more information about the centre.
The feedback, so far, has been extremely positive. We’ve even had constructive suggestions from the West Wiltshire Alzheimer’s Carers Support Group about how the building’s reception and waiting areas can be improved for people with dementia.
Photos from the topping-out event can be found further on inside this issue of the Triangle, as well as on our website and social media pages.
As always, if you have any questions on anything included in the Triangle, or would like to submit a good news story for a future edition, please send an email to bswicb.communications@nhs.net.
With best wishes,
Stephanie Elsy and Sue Harriman,
Chair and Chief Executive Officer,
Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board