Essex NHS trust to be placed in special recovery programme
Five NHS trusts with “deep-rooted challenges” are to be part of a recovery programme
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is set to be part of a new NHS Intensive Recovery programme designed to address persistent challenges faced by several healthcare providers across the country.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced the initiative to tackle what he described as “the worst services” in the NHS, with five trusts being named as initial participants.
Concerns have been raised about the enduring issues faced by certain trusts, including long patient waiting times and financial struggles.
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges these challenges, which are often deeply ingrained and historical, require targeted measures.
Alongside Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, North Cumbria, Hull University Teaching Hospitals, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole, and East Kent Hospitals NHS Trusts will be part of the programme starting in April.
The initiative aims to implement customised improvement approaches for each trust, potentially involving leadership changes, introduction of experienced NHS personnel, structural reorganisation, and financial investments.
Speaking at the University of East London, Mr Streeting emphasised the importance of addressing chronic underperformance and acknowledged the frustration felt by both staff and patients.
He stated, “Failure has been tolerated for too long. Staff know it. Patients feel it. And I won’t stand for it. No more turning a blind eye to failure.”
Dawn Scrafield, Chief Executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We are still awaiting further details about his programme. We welcome any additional support that helps us to tackle some of the long-standing issues that are a barrier to us providing the outstanding care and treatment that we know our communities deserve.”