Circle and Hinchingbrooke hospital start historic partnership
01 February 2012
The ground-breaking contract was signed in November 2011
following a robust, 13 month procurement managed by NHS Midlands
and East, 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 where 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".
To read the Hinchingbrooke plan, click here.