SUICIDE prevention will be in the spotlight when Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin (STW) Integrated Care System (ICS) holds its first ever Annual General Meeting (AGM) next week.

Owen Paterson, North Shropshire MP, will be the guest speaker after he has become a vocal campaigner on issues related to suicide since the tragic death of his wife Rose last year.

Mark Brandreth, executive lead for the Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin ICS, welcomed Mr Paterson's involvement at the meeting, stating that mental health services are a priority.

He added: “This is our first ever AGM and an important milestone for our partnership of health and care organisations as we move forward towards becoming a statutory body from April next year.

“There is so much for us to do as a health and care system and it is absolutely right that we make supporting and strengthening mental health services one of our biggest priorities.

“That is why I am grateful that Owen has agreed to speak at the event and help us to shape our vision.

"As part of his address he will be making a significant announcement that will signal our commitment to suicide prevention.”

Patricia Davies, chief executive of Shropshire Community Health, will also be speaking at the event to outline what is happening within the STW health and care system to address suicide prevention.

The AGM will also include presentation from Mr Brandreth and from Sir Neil McKay, the independent chairman of the STW ICS.

The ICS has set out 10 key pledges that are shaping its work and there will also be a video presentation to expand on those pledges and the work done so far, as well as next steps.

Another highlight of the event will be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), setting out the ICS’s commitment to working with the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.

“We cannot achieve what we want to as a health and care system without a strong partnership with our VCSE colleagues,” added Mr Brandreth.

“Together we have been building a close relationship over the past few months, and I am delighted that this work is resulting in us being able to sign this MOU together.

“We will use the AGM to explain more about this and to set out how it will benefit communities right across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.”

The Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin ICS AGM will take place on Thursday, October 14 at 11am.

To register your interest please go to https://stwics.org.uk/get-involved/ics-agm