THE management of the Mid and South Essex Hospitals Trust, which runs Basildon and Orsett Hospitals, has announced a new ten-year strategy.

The Trust, which has experienced significant financial problems and frequently come in for criticism and operates a number of services that have received poor Care Quality Commission reports over recent years, says it wants to show how it will deliver 'high quality care' for residents.

Last year the Trust, which was created  in April 2020 following the merger of three existing NHS trusts: Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust and Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, came under scrutiny when whistleblowers reported bullying, harassment and discrimination among dozens of complaints about management at its hospitals.

It's chief executive Matthew Hopkins says: "We formed five years ago, and now is the right time to stop looking back to the merger, and to start looking forward to how we will improve the health and care of our population over the coming decade.

"This ambitious strategy – which has patients at its heart - is the result of a year-long collective effort involving staff, clinicians, patients and wider system partners. It is shaped around four clear priorities:

• Empowering our people to excel
• Helping our communities to thrive
• Delivering high-performing, sustainable services
• Building cohesive, effective partnerships that deliver benefits for our population.

Basildon. Broomfield and Southend Hospitals.

"Our staff are fundamental to the success of this plan. We are committed to creating the right culture - one where everyone can thrive and perform at their best.

"In partnership we will build a culture where staff, patients and partners work together seamlessly, providing safe, effective and compassionate care that meets the ever-changing needs of our population.

"As the only acute provider in mid and south Essex, we recognise the need to engage more deeply with our communities. We must listen better, involve people with lived experience, and design services that reflect real needs.

"At the same time, we will lead with a "system-first" mindset, fostering stronger collaboration across the region."

You can read more detail about the new 'visition and what they will mean for you and your community via a shorter visual version here and the full strategy document here.

Mr Hopkins concluded:" We need to be clinically, financially, and operationally sustainable. We are committed to redesigning and delivering sustainable services that give patients the best possible experience and outcomes, while ensuring we are spending taxpayers' money responsibly now and for the future."

Related stories include:-

Millions paid out for errors. https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/the-cost-of-hospital-surgery-errors-is-more-than-ps20-million-250430

Trust counters critics. https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/hospitals-trust-counters-allegations-by-critics-and-campaigners-as-it-seeks-to-turn-a-deficit-of-more-than-ps80-million-around-231832

Lengthy wait for children to be referred. https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/children-needing-treatment-in-thurrock-may-have-to-wait-more-than-a-year-to-see-specialist-doctor-236098