THE man who championed Thurrock's now discredited integrated medical centre project and planned the ultimate closure of Orsett Hospital is to take charge of the purse strings for the health spending in the region.

Tom Abell has been appointed CEO of the NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board, the body responsible for deciding how the local NHS budget is spent. 

The move happens in July when Mr Abell will leave his current job as CEO of the East of England Ambulance Service, which he took on in August 2021 after it was rated inadequate and placed in special measures.

Two and half years later it's rated as 'requires improvement'.

Chair of the Ambulance Trust, Mrunal Sisodia, says: "Many congratulations to Tom – he has been tremendous as our CEO and I am sure he will be wonderful in his new role.

"Tom leaves us in a strong position, and I am confident that we will maintain our momentum and continue to improve services for the public of the east of England and our own staff and volunteers."

Mr Abell's track record of achievement at Mid and South Essex Hospital Trust, where he was deputy chief executive does not look so good through the passing of time.

He championed the project to build four integrated medical centres in Corringham, Tilbury, Grays and Purfleet, which would pay for the closure of Orsett Hospital and disposal of its land.

Just one centre, at Corringham, has been built, the Grays project has turned into a piecemeal one at the Thurrock Community Hospital site and the Tilbury and Purfleet schemes are in tatters.

Millions of pounds have been spent on the IMC project, including the demolition of a community resource centre in Tilbury – which now remains a boarded up, weed-covered site that is symbolic of a failed project.

The future of Orsett Hospital – and its role in Thurrock – remains unknown, though Mr Abell was confident it would be demolished by 2025!

It all seems a far cry from 2018 when Mr Abell, then deputy chief executive of Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust visited a public meeting at Thurrock Civic Hall and brushed aside residents' many concerns and predictions that things would falter because they had not been thought through.

Mr Abell said to the people of Thurrock: "This decision is good news. Local residents will soon have more modern health and care services closer to where they live.

"This means more investment in the services people use the most."

While many in Thurrock may question the capability of Mr Abell and his track record, the NHS chiefs who have appointed him have no doubts.

Professor Michael Thorne CBE, Chair for NHS Mid and South Essex said: "I am delighted to welcome Tom back to our health and care system.

"Tom has an excellent track record of achievement in the delivery of outstanding patient care and the development of positive relationships with partners.

"I am confident he will use his knowledge, expertise and skills to help us meet our ambitions and challenges in the months and years ahead."

Professor Thorne also paid tribute to outgoing interim CEO Tracy Dowling, saying: ""I would also like to offer a heartfelt thank you to Tracy who has led NHS Mid and South Essex as interim chief executive since last November.

"In the short time I have worked with Tracy I have witnessed her excellent leadership and commitment to improving care in mid and south Essex. I wish Tracy all success for the future."

Mr Abell said: "I'm delighted to be joining NHS Mid and South Essex as chief executive. I'm looking forward to working closely with our staff, stakeholders, partners and of course our patients to further develop and improve the care we provide."

He is due to begin his new role from early August.

Response to Mr Abell's appointment in Thurrock has been muted, though Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Thurrock believes change may be for the better, saying: "Through countless conversations I have had, on the doorstep, with local community and health organisations and drawing on my own families' experience, it is clear that there are deeply concerning issues with the Mid and South Essex Trust. 

"People in Thurrock are simply not receiving the healthcare they need and deserve.

"Despite our incredible local healthcare staff, doctors, midwives, nurses, paramedics and everyone who makes up the backbone of our NHS, our healthcare services are at breaking point due to 14 years of underfunding by successive Conservative governments. 

"I hope that Tom's appointment will lead to improvements similar to those in the East of England Ambulance service and I look forward to meeting him at the earliest opportunity to discuss the concerns of people in Thurrock."