Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust: The year in review
From cutting-edge cancer technology to life-saving neonatal equipment, a UK first Burns Bus and the opening of the Trust’s first Community Diagnostic Centre in Thurrock, 2025 has been a year of innovation and improvements for patients.
These achievements reflect the dedication of our staff and set the stage for greater improvements in 2026. Here’s a look back at some of the successes and notable stories from this year across Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
Innovation
Revolutionary burns bus hits the road
In February, the UK’s first Burns Outreach Bus, a mobile dressing clinic, was launched by the St Andrew’s Burns Centre at Broomfield Hospital. Fully equipped with reclining couches and dressings trolleys, the bus brings expert care closer to home.
David Barnes, Clinical Lead for Burns, said: “Many of our patients travel up to 240 miles for appointments. This service eases the burden of cost and travel, improving access and quality of life.”
The £50,000 pilot, funded by the London and South East Burns Network and the Doris Macer Foundation, has made it possible to support patients across London, Ipswich and Cambridgeshire.
Honey helps new mums heal faster
In August, there was a real buzz after Southend Hospital introduced medical-grade Manuka honey to help new mums recover from perineal tears. After a six-month evaluation, results showed fewer infections, better healing, and fewer hospital returns.
Sarah Cridland, Perinatal Pelvic Health Specialist Midwife, said: “Manuka honey is known for its powerful healing properties. It’s anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and helps skin repair itself faster.”
Home prostate cancer screening trial
November was Men’s Health Month and saw news of a groundbreaking trial for prostate cancer screening. Patients can now test themselves at home using a finger-prick blood sample and a smartphone app, with results securely sent to clinicians.
Dr Rav Sodi, Consultant Clinical Biochemist, said: “This trial is a significant step forward in making prostate cancer screening more accessible. It removes barriers and speeds up diagnosis.”
The trial will expand nationwide in 2026, with an aim to improve early detection and patient outcomes.
Improvements for patients
Faster cancer diagnosis at Southend
In January patients with suspected throat cancer were getting results up to three weeks sooner thanks to a groundbreaking biopsy technique at Southend Hospital.
With the new procedure doctors examine a patient’s throat, voice box or food pipe and take tissue samples in a single 45-minute appointment, using small surgical instruments passed through the tube.
Mr Oliver Sanders, Ear, Nose, and Throat Registrar at the Trust, said: “It’s about seeing patients as quickly as possible, so we can either give them good news or start treatment sooner.”
Spotting HIV and hepatitis early
In March a new screening programme launched across Southend, Basildon and Broomfield hospitals to identify bloodborne viruses earlier. Adult patients needing blood tests in emergency departments are now automatically screened for HIV and hepatitis B and C, unless they opt out.
Laura Hilton, HIV Service Lead at the Trust, said: “Identifying patients with these viruses is crucial because they often have no obvious symptoms in the early stages. Without early diagnosis and treatment, these conditions can lead to serious or even life-threatening complications.”
In April, the Trust unveiled its 10-year strategy, developed through a year-long collaboration with staff, patients and partners. It focuses on four priorities: empowering people, helping communities thrive, delivering sustainable services and building effective partnerships.
Paw-some film calms young patients
Also in July, Broomfield Hospital teamed up with Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) to create a heartwarming short film starring Merlin, a golden retriever, and his canine friends. The video explains each stage of a child’s hospital journey in a fun, reassuring way.
Dr Simon Trundle, Consultant in Anaesthesia at Broomfield, said: “We wanted to do more to ease the theatre journey for younger patients. With ARU’s support, we produced a video that shares essential information in a warm, engaging way.”
First community diagnostic centre opens
In October, Thurrock’s Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) officially opened, bringing thousands of vital tests and scans closer to home. The centre began seeing patients in September and delivered nearly 2,500 appointments in its first month, including MRI and CT scans, x-rays and blood tests.
The CDC will provide 75,000 diagnostic appointments annually, easing pressure on hospitals. Three more centres are planned for Southend, Braintree and Pitsea by 2027.
Staff awards and achievements
Virtual care wins national award
In March, innovation took centre stage at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre with a pioneering virtual ward - the first of its kind in the East of England. Since July 2024, the team has supported more than 400 patients.
Their success was recognised with the Excellence for Innovation in Practice 2025 award at the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain and Ireland conference.
Anthony Johnson, Cardiothoracic Nurse Specialist, said: “We’re proud to have won this award. It’s not just about easing pressure on beds; it’s about making sure patients feel supported while they wait.”
Life-changing support for learning disabilities
In June, Learning Disability Week shone a spotlight on the Supported Internship Programme, which helps young people with autism and disabilities find training and jobs.
Oliver Henson-Webb, 23, from Maldon, joined Broomfield Hospital through the programme and now works as a Healthcare Assistant on the Stroke unit. He helps run the Stroke Ambulatory Pathway clinic and supports patients.
His mum, Sarah, said: “The supported internship, and now his job, have genuinely been life-changing for Ollie.”
Hospital staff make Netflix debut
July brought global attention. Staff from Broomfield and Southend Hospitals featured in a new Netflix documentary, Critical: Between Life and Death. The powerful and gripping series focused on trauma teams and was released worldwide on 23 July. It gave a real insight into the amazing work staff at the Trust do day-in and day-out.
Fundraising and Mid and South Essex Hospital’s Charity
First dedicated cancer research suite opens
In May, Southend Hospital unveiled its first-ever dedicated inpatient cancer research suite, thanks to a remarkable £430,000 legacy gift from Helena Woolley of Thundersley, Benfleet. The Helena Woolley Research Suite will allow patients to take part in cutting-edge drug and treatment trials without travelling to London or Cambridge.
Dr Krishnaswamy Madhavan, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, said: “This exciting new research suite will open access to trials previously unavailable at the Trust and significantly expand local research capacity. Helena’s legacy isn’t just this suite but the lives she will help prolong or save.”
Charity helps protect vulnerable babies
In June, Broomfield Hospital’s Neonatal Unit received a £47,000 neonatal transport incubator, funded by the Friends at Broomfield Hospital. The portable incubator provides consistent ventilation during transfers, reducing risks for premature or seriously ill babies.
Jackie Kane, Ward Manager at Broomfield Hospital, said: “This new equipment will make a big difference to both patients and staff.”
In July, the Spotlight Radiotherapy Appeal celebrated raising £920,000, beating its original £600,000 goal by over £300,000. The funds will provide Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT) Treatment at Southend Hospital, improving accuracy and comfort for cancer patients.
Emma Wynne-Morgan, Chair of the Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation, said: “The support has been truly life-changing, helping us roll out SGRT for all radiotherapy patients.”
SGRT is cutting-edge technology that eliminates permanent tattoo markings, protects healthy tissue, and allows open-face masks for head and neck cancer patients – making treatment more precise, more comfortable, and less invasive.