Communication on the Hinchingbrooke Next Steps project

Dear Friend,

The purdah period imposed on all public sector bodies like NHS East of England meant that we had to put down our communications tools when the election was called on 6 April.  But the voting is over, so we’re back, and with lots to tell you…..

Meet the bidders

On 26 March, Circle, Ramsay Health Care UK and Serco Health, which is working with Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, were shortlisted for the next stage to apply for the unique franchise to operate Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust.

As part of the ongoing drive for openness in the HNS project, the bidders have accepted our invitation to each give a presentation at the forthcoming stakeholder panel meeting on 26 May.  There they will be able to tell participants more about their organisations, their ethos, skills and experience.  They have also contributed an article each to the next edition of Next Steps News, due later this month, and will be giving presentations to hospital staff. 

Due to rigid procurement rules, they will not, of course, be able to divulge the actual contents of their bids (which are still subject of negotiation) but these are real opportunities for bidders to personally present their organisations to stakeholders. 

Please visit our website for more detail on the stakeholder panel meetings, which are open to the public.  We have had to change the venue for a couple of the later meetings, so please download the new schedule by visiting http://www.strategicprojectseoe.co.uk/index.php?id_sec=87.

While you’re downloading

When you’re on our website, you might want to just look at the updated timeline for the HNS project.  The timeline has shifted a little to accommodate three bidders, as it was originally anticipated that only two would reach this stage.  To have three good prospects is excellent news. 

Visit http://www.strategicprojectseoe.co.uk/index.php?id_sec=89 to find out more.  It is planned that the preferred bidder will be announced early in October.  

You asked, we said yes!

You asked us for an additional public meeting, in St Neots, which we are pleased to announce. So grab your diaries and mark in Monday 19 July, 6pm, venue to be confirmed. To see more about the public meetings visit http://www.strategicprojectseoe.co.uk/index.php?id_sec=101.

Keep your eyes peeled

We are planning on launching the third wave of public involvement later this month, when we shall be leading on the top ten truths and myth busters.  There’s been some misleading information about in the last month and, because of election ‘purdah’, we haven’t been able to set the record straight.  So keep your eyes peeled for our top ten truths and myth busters in the forthcoming Next Steps News, when we will also be asking you whether you have any remaining concerns. 

And the winner is…….

We were pleased that 133 people gave their views on the questions in the last Next Steps News.  As promised, we put all responses in a hat, and we can announce that Rosalind in Huntingdon has won the £25 voucher.  Thank you for all your input which has been considered by the Project Board, and forwarded to bidders.  A summary of responses will be found in Next Steps News 3 very soon.

Please, keep your involvement coming!

The Strategic Projects Team, NHS East of England
12 May 10