Local MP visits Basildon Hospital ahead of winter period
Local Member of Parliament Stephen Metcalfe met staff from a number of departments ahead of the winter period. The Conservative MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock met with Andrew Pike, Managing Director, to discuss winter plans and received an update on Basildon Hospital activity, as well as ongoing autumn programmes such as the flu vaccination campaign.
Mr. Metcalfe visited the site’s Health and Wellbeing Hub, which was instrumental in supporting staff through the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to do so throughout the busy winter period. His trip also included meeting staff from the Critical Care Unit, and he heard about Laindon Ward’s regional vascular work - a new service that was established earlier this year.
The hospital’s Emergency Department was recently awarded a share of £4.8million in capital funding, along with the Trust’s Broomfield site, for vital upgrades to so they can improve patient care and services ahead of the winter.
Mr. Metcalfe heard how the investment will allow the site to improve infection control and manage patient flow through creating additional capacity and making better use of space, in order to care for COVID-19 and non-COVID patients safely.