THURROCK'S Labour MP has delivered a damning indictment of the NHS service that looks after acute care in Thurrock after new figures show it sits in the bottom ten of a nationwide list and is one of the worst performing health authorities in the country.

All of England's worst-performing hospitals are today (Tuesday, 9 September) named and shamed in a critical Government analysis and the Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust, which runs Basildon and Orsett Hospitals and other acute treatment centres in the region, is among the lowest ranked.

It sits 124th out of 134 acute trusts measured. And when the list is quantified further it is the worst performing large hospital provider.

The ranking scores are based on a range of measures, including finances and patient access to care, as well as bringing down waiting times for operations and A&E, and improving ambulance response times.

 It is the first time the Government has ranked hospitals, ambulance services and mental health providers publicly, allowing patients to see which are giving sub-standard treatment.

Thurrock MP Jen Craft is shocked by the performance and has written to health minister Wes Streeting to express her feelings and has called for direct government intervention.

She says: "This is deeply alarming for the tens of thousands of residents who rely on these secondary services and confirms what people in Thurrock know to be true: that they are receiving an unacceptable standard of care.

"Despite repeated exposure of the need for improvements at Mid and South Essex Trust, a blind eye has been turned to a continued cycle of poor performance. My constituents are living with the consequences of this, seeing vital procedures delayed for months on end or left waiting in an emergency.

"The Senior Leadership Team has been unable to arrest this pattern of failure which, as I know you will agree, cannot continue.

"I welcome the much-needed transparency that the league tables bring and support the aims of driving accountability in the system. I wish to make clear my gratitude for those frontline healthcare workers who are working flat out in the trust and who will, no doubt, find these ratings disheartening.

"I want my constituents to share in the success of Labour's mission to turn the NHS around. They too should feel the benefit of the investment this Government has delivered for the health service and the progress that has been made on cutting waiting lists nationally.

"I'd like to ask that your department intervene at the trust, to ensure that it delivers value for taxpayer money, improve performance and - most importantly - provide the excellent and reliable care my constituents deserve."

South Basildon and East Thurrock independent MP James McMurdock has joined the condemnation.

He told Nub News: "These results are indefensible. The NHS is dear to all of us so speaking ill of it feels unnatural, but the numbers are clear.

"The trust is not delivering to the high standard that is quite rightly expected.

"As both a user and a privileged visitor of the trust there are things which I have seen and experienced which I don't believe are good enough.

"I will do all I can to support the trust on its journey forward. 

"The answer cannot be more and more money.

"Contracts, procurement, processes, all need streamlining. Refocussing on the basics such as cleanliness and organisation is vital so that pride can be restored to the hero's on our NHS front lines."

Compounding local concern, the East of England Ambulance Trust finished bottom in its ranking table, compiled of all ten nationwide trusts.

It is an accurate reflection of the state of the trust says its Chief Executive Neill Moloney.

He says: "The report reflects our ongoing operational pressures, particularly in meeting Category 2 response times, and cultural issues which we are committed to addressing. 

"While this rating highlights areas for improvement, it also recognises the significant progress we have made over the past year. The Trust has been recognised for our strong financial position and better-than-average scores for the number of patients transported to hospital. These achievements reflect the dedication of our staff and the effectiveness of our operational planning. 

"At the same time, I am clear there are areas within our control that require focused attention. We are actively working to improve the working environment and culture across the Trust that were highlighted in last year's National NHS Staff Survey results. 

"We will continue to work transparently with our partners and communities to deliver the high-quality care our patients deserve."

The future plans and ambitions of the Mid and South Essex Hospitals Trust (and the regional Integrated care board, were discussed in some detauil at a recent meeting of Thurrock Council's adult health scrutiny committee.

You can view the meeting here:-