An introduction from Professor Carolyn Wilkins, OBE, Chair and Ian Moston, Chief Executive Officer
There has never been a more exciting time for Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
In May 2023 the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced that the RAAC hospitals were to be prioritised in the national New Hospitals Programme and we are to have a new Leighton Hospital. We are beginning to finalise our plans to develop a world-class health and care campus for our local community. Our Healthier Futures progamme will create a new site that will deliver first-rate care for patients – transforming health outcomes and addressing health inequality for our local population.
Our workforce of over 5,500 people is diverse and delivers acute, hospital-based care at Leighton Hospital, integrated care at Elmhurst Integrated Care Centre, diagnostics and clinical support services at Victoria Infirmary Northwich as well as a diverse range of community services delivered via virtual wards, at healthcare centres, schools or in our patients’ own homes.
We are committed to digital transformation, and our collaboration with East Cheshire NHS Trust sees innovative plans for a joint electronic patient record - the Digital Clinical System –progressing into the build and implementation phase, working with Meditech IT Inc as system provider. Supporting our workforce transformation to the digital sphere ‘Embracing Technology, Empowering You’ will be critical for our Healthier Future ambitions.
When completed, our Cheshire and Merseyside Surgical Centre at Victoria Infirmary Northwich will treat a large number of patients from across Cheshire and Merseyside, with the facilities purpose built to treat large numbers of patients requiring less complex operations and minor procedures. It will help to reduce the waiting times for these patients, with an immediate focus on those who have been waiting over 52 weeks for treatment but with the aim to significantly reduce the overall backlog of patients. It will also free up operating theatres at other hospital sites in Cheshire which can be used to reduce the waiting lists for more complex operations.
As a Trust we are making a conscious transition to becoming a truly listening and involving organisation for our people, our patients and our communities. Through this commitment of listening to understand we have in development a programme of engagement that responds to the needs of our staff and our local population that allows opportunities for all voices to be heard, respected and empowered.
This ‘Who We Are’ portal has been designed to help and support you to get to know our Trust and to find out more about our ambitious plans and the journey we have taken to develop them.
Professor Carolyn Wilkins, OBE, Chair and Ian Moston, Chief Executive Officer
