Stephen Metcalfe, local MP
for South Basildon and East Thurrock, and Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy
Hunt MP, visited Basildon Hospital last week to ensure improvements are being
made and to announce further plans to keep the Hospital on the right track.
The Secretary of State
announced that Sir Stuart Rose, former head of Marks & Spencer, will lead a
review into how to improve management in the NHS across England, with a
particular focus on hospitals that were identified as underperforming in the
Keogh report.
Sir Stuart turned round the
fortunes of Marks and Spencer and it is hoped he will do the same for the NHS.
He will focus on making managers more visible, improving performance, and on
attracting and retaining the best leaders.
Mr Hunt took a tour of the
hospital with the local MP and spoke to both patients and staff about their experiences
at the Hospital.
The Secretary of State
praised staff for the improvements made after the Keogh inspection. He
commented: “I had a fantastic afternoon on the paediatric ward and was
really impressed by how committed the staff are.”
“The hospital has clearly turned a big
corner and is on the road to recovery, and people in Basildon can be really
proud of the progress made.”
Mr Metcalfe said: “I was
delighted that the Secretary of State had the opportunity to see the great
improvements that have made at the Hospital. I am very grateful to all the
staff for their tireless hard work and I am confident that it will keep on
improving.”
“I am also extremely pleased
to see Sir Stuart stepping in to help transform all underperforming hospitals
and management across the NHS. He has had great experience at transforming
large, complex organisations like Marks & Spencer and will bring a fresh
pair of eyes to the situation.”
