Thurrock is making strides in mental health care by involving patients and families in shaping services for better support and outcomes
Thurrock: The Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) is really stepping up in mental health care. They’re all about giving patients and their families a say in how services are shaped.
Over 250 patients and former patients are now part of the team, making sure that the patient experience is front and center in transforming mental health, physical health, and learning disability services for over 3.2 million people.
New family and carer ambassadors are using their own experiences to help others. They’re making sure families are involved in their loved ones’ care and that any worries are addressed.
Plus, EPUT has welcomed 480 new nurses and clinical staff this year, focusing on building a strong team to provide top-notch care.
Since Paul Scott took over as Chief Executive in 2020, there’s been a lot of progress. Most patients feel safe in their care, and a whopping 94% of feedback from 8,000 people has been positive.
They’re also looking to fill over 330 new positions as part of their Time to Care program, which aims to give patients personalized support for their recovery.
This initiative is all about expanding the skilled staff on EPUT wards, from nurses to activity coordinators, ensuring patients have a variety of treatment options every day.
On top of that, they’re working on a new Electronic Patient Record system with Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, set to launch in 2026/27. This will help different teams work together better for patient care.
Paul Scott shared, “We care for over 100,000 patients at any time and are always looking to improve our services. We’ve made great strides, and the feedback from patients and families shows that.”
He added, “Partnering with patients and families helps us learn from their experiences, ensuring their voices are at the heart of what we do.”
