Boss aims to solve 'thorny problems' of health trusts

THE chairman of University Hospitals Tees has described “shifting the dial” on the way care is delivered to patients.

- By STUART ARNOLD Local Democracy Reporter

In a closing address to the group's first annual general meeting, Professor Derek Bell OBE echoed comments by group chief executive Stacey Hunter about the desire of the NHS to treat people closer to where they live.

This has seen a move towards more community-based diagnostic and ‘walk-in’ type facilities, along with an expansion of ‘hospital at home’ services which can be particularly beneficial for older, frail patients.

The NHS's long-term plan also focuses on pivoting from treatment to prevention, where possible.

Prof Bell conceded the NHS still faced “thorny problems”, while also having earlier in the meeting condemned as “unacceptable” the alleged racial abuse of some hospital staff on Teesside while on their way to work, something highlighted in a recent letter by Ms Hunter. University Hospitals Tees is a strategic grouping of the North and South Tees hospital trusts, the two organisations having a combined annual budget of £1.2bn and employing more than 15,000 staff.