More than 200 people are being made redundant within health commissioning bodies covering Staffordshire and Shropshire.

The Integrated Care Boards (ICB) for NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent now work as a cluster.

Staff were invited to apply for redundancy in 2025.

It comes as ICBs across the country have been told to reduce their running costs as part of government plans to put more cash into care.

A spokesperson said that 87 staff from Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, and 134 from Staffordshire and Stoke are leaving through voluntary redundancy.

Meanwhile, four compulsory redundancies have been confirmed so far in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, and 11 in Staffordshire and Stoke.

"The voluntary redundancy process is now complete, and we have already said goodbye to a number of valued colleagues," said the spokesperson.

"We recognise that this has been, and continues to be, an incredibly difficult and uncertain time for our colleagues, particularly those directly affected. We remain committed to supporting people through these changes.

"The wider organisational change process is still ongoing.

Voluntary redundancy has helped reduce the need for compulsory redundancies, but at this stage, we cannot confirm whether further compulsory redundancies will be required or what the final cost of the process will be."

The process is set to be discussed at a Board meeting on Thursday (September 24).

In his update, chief executive officer, Simon Whitehouse said: "Throughout this process, our priority has been to support colleagues with openness, fairness and compassion, while retaining valuable skills and experience wherever possible.

"Decisions have been informed by the developing operating model and future workforce requirements, with a continued focus on supporting colleagues into suitable roles within the new structure.

"I would like to thank colleagues for their professionalism, resilience and continued commitment during a period of significant organisational change.

"We remain focused on supporting our workforce through the next phase of transition while ensuring we continue to deliver our responsibilities to patients, partners and communities."

Header images: Simon Whitehouse, Chief Executive Officer for NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and NHS Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent (in circle-image via NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin)/County Hospital (background-image via Jonathan Hutchins on Geograph)