The move is being made in partnership with Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, two local authorities and primary care services. Partners will also work closely with the new provider for the GP Out of Hours Service, HealthHero Integrated Care.

Dr Lorna Clarson, chief medical officer at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said: ‘This move, from hospital to community care, is a vital part of the Government's NHS 10-Year Plan, launched in July. We recognise that people often recover better at home or in familiar settings and we're committed to supporting this shift by working with our partners across the health and care system.'

The programme will see community rehabilitation services expanded while the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust will also increase its bed capacity through the addition of two new modular wards.

The rehabilitation and recovery units, currently located at Princess Royal Hospital in Telford and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in Shrewsbury, will close to enable the reinvestment needed to develop community services, while ensuring the correct level of hospital beds required for patients who need acute care.

The move is backed by a £3.6m reinvestment, which will work to relieve pressures in the hospital this winter and support the delivery of more joined-up, efficient care for patients and residents.

A portion of the reinvestment will also support the enhancement of the care transfer hub to ensure patients return home safely and promptly once they are ready to leave the hospital. Further elements of the scheme include additional therapy and rehabilitation support, helping patients regain strength and independence after a hospital stay.