23. Suffolk and North East Essex
In October 2018, the chief executives of NHS England and NHS Improvement wrote to all STP leaders instructing them to come up with new five year plans by autumn 2019. The new five-year plans will replace those which were drawn up in 2016 based on the previous five-year funding settlement to 2020-21. The new five year STP will be developed based on a new NHS England budget.
The letter notes that “It will be extremely important that you develop your plans with the proper engagement of all parts of your local systems and that they provide robust and credible solutions for the challenges you will face in caring for your local populations over the next five years.”
NOTE: The information on this page relates to the original STP drawn up in 2016, however much of the information is still relevant and could be part of the new STP.
What concerns have been raised about your STP?
Health planners are trying to reduce NHS deficits and think about ways to re-organise care. However getting the large deficit under control could prevent facilities being developed that can cope with the health and care social needs of local people.
Proposed changes
Walk-in centres in North East Essex are under threat of closure, the centre in Colchester and the minor injury units in Clacton and Harwich are most likely to face the axe.
Merging of clinical services, which could lead to some services only being available in one hospital (either Colchester and Ipswich) or moving into the community.
Closure of oral surgery clinic in West Suffolk Hospital will lead to patient delays.
Lack of investment
This STP has a projected deficit of £248 million by 2020/21, but does not contain exact details of how this is going to be eliminated. The area has received some extra funding of around £2 -£10 million for primary care.
Changes in who organises our care
New models of care are planned for the area, with a multi-speciality community provider model for North East Essex and accountable care organisations to be formed, one in Ipswich and East Suffolk and the other in West Suffolk.