26. Mid and South 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
This area has three main acute hospitals at Basildon, Chelmsford (Broomfield) and Southend.
The plan was for the reconfiguration of these hospitals, including downgrading A&E at two out of three hospitals.
However, in July 2017 campaigners were successful in forcing NHS bosses to cancel plans to downgrade Broomfield and Southend A&E. Concern had been growing that patient lives were being put at risk under plans to send all critical cases to Basildon A&E, while at the same time downgrading Southend and Broomfield A&Es to take less serious cases.
Elective surgery may be consolidated onto one site, which would mean longer journeys for some patients.
Finances
The projected deficit for this area by 2020/21 is £630 million. The BMA has estimated that to realise the changes outlined in the STP £449.5 million will be needed in capital funding.