Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust and Circle today start their historic partnership; it is the first time ever that an independent provider will operate an entire NHS hospital.
The ground-breaking contract was signed in November 2011 following a robust, 13 month procurement managed by NHS Midlands and East (the strategic health authority for the region) and an extensive approval period by the Department of Health. Circle was selected as preferred partner following a process which included 19 initial potential bidders from the public and independent sectors.
Since the announcement of preferred partner, staff from Circle and Hinchingbrooke have been working closely to plan for the hospital’s future, and today they published their plan for transformation. The plan is the first of its kind and everyone who works in the hospital was invited to take part in its creation. Over 1200 of the 1700 strong workforce attended one of 17 four hour ‘partnership sessions’, where they decided that their objective would be to become one of the top ten district general hospitals in the country by excelling in four areas: patient safety, patient experience, staff engagement and value for money.
Circle Chief Executive, Ali Parsa, said: “Today, an ambitious programme will be unveiled, to turn a hospital, once labelled as 'a basket case', into one of the top ten in the country. The plan came together in unprecedented sessions with 1200 NHS staff, who gathered to share their vision for their hospital's transformation.
“Like John Lewis, Circle are employee co-owned, and have a track record of creating best in class hospitals by devolving power to the clinicians and staff who are closest to patients. We are confident that we can do it again in Hinchingbrooke”.
Dr Stephen Dunn, Director of Policy and Strategy at NHS Midlands and East, said: “With the challenges the NHS now faces, new solutions are needed so services can be provided how and where patients want them, but at a cost which taxpayers can afford.
Today heralds just that, a new chapter in creativity and partnership working.
“Without this franchise, the future of Hinchingbrooke could have been uncertain. We are not privatising, we are bringing in new management. The hospital can plan a future where its staff and assets remain within the NHS, energised by the innovation which its new partner will bring. NHS Midlands and East and its ground-breaking Strategic Projects Team are proud to have steered this opportunity, and we look forward to Hinchingbrooke going from strength to strength”.
Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust’s Chief Executive, Nigel Beverley, said: “Today marks the start of a new phase for Hinchingbrooke, its staff and its patients. Since the announcement of the contract signature, Circle representatives have met with the vast majority of our staff, whose hopes and ideas for the future of this hospital have been listened to and incorporated into our planning process.
“Patients can be assured that the quality of their care remains our top priority and we can now look forward to building a bright future for Hinchingbrooke.”
Dr Sushil Jathanna, Chief Executive of NHS Cambridgeshire and NHS Peterborough, said: "NHS Cambridgeshire looks forward to working with Circle as they take over the Hinchingbrooke franchise this week. This marks a fresh start for the hospital and NHS Cambridgeshire will continue to make quality a priority for the services it commissions from the hospital, now and in the future."
Further information about the Hinchingbrooke Next Steps project can be found at
www.eoe.nhs.uk/strategicprojects or by calling 0800 923 3001.
NHS Midlands and East Press Office (Cambridge office)
Tel: 01223 597545
Email: pressoffice@eoe.nhs.uk
Pager: 07699 727 918
Website: www.eoe.nhs.uk/strategicprojects
Circle
Tel: 01480 417546
Mobiles: 07972 192845, 07735 510066
Website: www.circlepartnership.co.uk
Last modified 01/02/12 07:39:50
Hinchingbrooke Hospital
Hinchingbrooke Park, Huntingdon
Cambs PE29 6NT
Hinchingbrooke Direct:
01480 416416
