I recently had the pleasure of visiting Basildon Hospital’s A&E on Nurses Day. Basildon is a high performing hospital and I’m pleased to report that it was a model of calm efficiency.
While there is a small community hospital in Brentwood, if we need specialist or emergency treatment we travel to Chelmsford, Southend, Harlow, Romford or Basildon. Chelmsford, Southend and Basildon are currently working together in a Sustainability and Transformation Partnership, and it was clear from meeting senior staff that a great deal of thought has gone into how maximise the group’s resources.
I get a reasonable amount of correspondence about the NHS, and while there are some frustrations - particularly on delayed operations and long waits for GP appointments - there is also a consistent message that our health service offers compassion, care and dignity. Clare Culpin, the current Managing Director of Basildon Hospital, showed me round the A&E “village” through which patients are directed to the service which is best suited for their needs.
Life-threatening emergencies are taken to Resus, major and minor injuries head to their respective areas, and children are seen in a cheerful toy-strewn section staffed by specialist children’s nurses. In a highly sensible move they now have an on-site GP’s surgery which can tend to people with less immediately severe conditions.
Talking to Clare and her most senior nurse, Anthony Schim, it was apparent how adaptable the whole service is. They are constantly reassessing and reconfiguring parts of their operation to meet the needs of their patients in the most effective way possible.
I was particularly impressed by the thought and care shown for the elderly and frail, who can arrive in the department feeling more unwell through anxiety and uncertainty about how long they may have to stay. All those coming in on the day I was there would have been cheered by the bunting and retro uniforms as the staff celebrated Nurses Day with cakes, sandwiches and great good humour.
Having seen how Basildon Hospital runs its busiest department, it comes as no surprise to read that the Commonwealth Fund, a respected healthcare think-tank, has rated the NHS as the best healthcare system in the world. Whilst there is no room for complacency, and some areas in need attention, be in no doubt that we have world-class health care in this country.
As ever, please get in touch through www.alexburghart.org.uk