Hospitals across mid and south Essex are receiving a welcome £40 million boost to help improve their facilities.
The funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has now been confirmed and will support Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, and its hospitals in Southend, Basildon and Broomfield, to help make the hospitals fit for the future.
The funding will support the Trust to increase the number of beds, improve capacity in all three emergency departments, improve cancer and planned care by upgrading and expanding surgical theatres.
Commenting Mrs Badenoch said:
“I am pleased we will be seeing this vital investment in Broomfield and south Essex hospitals.
“It will not only enable the modernisation of the emergency department and capacity at Broomfield but prioritise the important infrastructure work required to help improve patient care.
“I have been supporting the Mid and South Essex Trust to make the case for this investment and will continue to work with the team at Broomfield as these works progress. I look forward to seeing the improvements.”
Matthew Hopkins, Chief Executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“This funding is great news for our patients and staff. Patients will get better quality care and it helps us meet the ever-increasing demands on hospital services.
“Finally, the hard work can begin to improve the patient experience of everyone who uses our hospitals.”
The Trust will get an initial £15 million between now and March 2025, helping it to carry out critical preparation works and complete some elements of the building works, with the remaining £25 million subject to final approvals. Other funding of up to £70 million may also be available, following a future Government spending review.
This funding follows the earlier announcement of £8 million in January 2023 to allow the Trust to improve and expand the first phase of its emergency department improvements at Southend Hospital, which is set to be complete in winter 2024/25.
It is expected other improvements will be delivered throughout 2024 and into 2025.
