At the recent MSE ICB Board Meeting, the public were limited to a single question each. Two members from our committee (David Birch and Peter Blackman) asked a question each and the answers are below.
David started by welcoming Tom Abell who has just started as the new Chief Executive of Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board. Tom gave that answer. Emily Hough, MSE ICB’s Executive Director of Strategy & Corporate Services gave the answer to my question.
Q: Whether effective communication about the ICB’s situation with all communities including South Woodham Ferrers is a priority across the ICB and its Alliances.
A: Thank you for the warm welcome. I’m pleased to be back in MSE, and I appreciate your kind words. I fully agree with the sentiment expressed by my predecessor regarding the importance of patient and public engagement, especially in challenging times. Transparent, clear communication is essential to maintaining trust and avoiding misunderstandings. I am committed to ensuring that effective communication with all our communities, including South Woodham Ferrers, remains a priority. We will work hard to keep everyone informed about both the challenges we face and the progress we make, fostering an open dialogue across the ICB and its Alliances.
Q: Recognising the widening and increasing transport problems for patients across M&SE, will MSE ICB work with South Woodham Ferrers Health & Social Care Group and other partners to review this issue?
A: The ICB recognises the importance of supporting patients, carers and their families in being able to access health and care services, and welcomes the work undertaken by MSEFT to restore the shuttle bus to Broomfield Hospital and the work undertaken by ECC to replace the services lost by the closure of the Dart and Arrow public transport service. We have noted the strength of feedback around the importance of travel, transport and parking highlighted by those who responded to the public consultation on the future of community services across MSE. We are continuing to consider the response to the consultation and what is needed to respond to the issues raised through it as part of implementation of any potential changes, including those relating to travel and transport. Working in partnership with local authorities, local residents and others will be key to developing those plans in the future. MSE ICB, through the Mid Essex Alliance, is also engaging with the work being led by Essex County Council to consider the infrastructure challenges in the Maldon District – which includes those relating to travel and transport.
Whilst the ICB recognises the importance of good transport links for patients and the public attending health and welfare services, the ICB is not ultimately responsible for public transport. We would be happy to be engaged in any review undertaken by the South Woodham Ferrers Health and Social Care Group and are always committed to working with partners to improve services where possible but how involved we can be would be based upon capacity within teams who are stretched due to the financial recovery programme across the ICB.
SWF Health & Social Care Group 