East Cheshire NHS Trust marks Developments and Achievements in 2023

While 2023 was a challenging year for the NHS, it also brought with it a number of positive developments for both colleagues at East Cheshire NHS Trust and the local people who use its services.

The Trust, which manages Macclesfield District General Hospital, Congleton War Memorial Hospital, Knutsford and District Community Hospital, and provides community-based healthcare services in East Cheshire, has marked numerous achievements and positive changes this year.

June saw the much-anticipated re-opening of the Trust’s maternity unit at Macclesfield General Hospital, over three years after maternity services were suspended at Macclesfield due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. During this three-year period, local families were redirected to maternity services at Stepping Hill, Wythenshawe, and Leighton Hospital. The reopening of local maternity services at Macclesfield is a wonderful development for both local families and Macclesfield’s midwifery and obstetric staff, who have now returned after being relocated to other hospitals.

Elsewhere, the Trust has introduced a new Virtual Ward service, which is providing care to patients at home who would otherwise require a hospital stay, preventing hospital admission and allowing patients to better rest and recuperate in their own environment.

The Trust’s Health Matters events returned last year, providing an insight into the Trust for the local community, and the next talk will focus on the Virtual Ward service, along with the Trust’s other home-based services, which are allowing local people to receive treatment traditionally provided in hospital, at home.

East Cheshire NHS Charity, which supports the Trust with funding, has undergone an exciting rebrand this year and has already received overwhelming support from local businesses and people. Former patient, Gena Moors raised over £24,000 with her Splash of Pink charity ball, while runners at Macclesfield Running Festival raised over £3000 and Stewart and Charley Bothamley raised £1400 by running the Manchester Half Marathon.

A number of estates developments have also been facilitated across the Trust, from a new Elective Treatment Centre, which is improving patient experience and reducing waiting times, to the arrival of a mobile breast screening unit, the improvement of the endoscopy and radiology departments, and the opening of the Trust’s fantastic new Learning, Education and Development Hub (LE&D Hub).

The Trust has also received a £5 million fund to develop the Community Diagnostics Centre at Congleton War Memorial Hospital, and work is now well underway on this project.

Additionally, the Trust has been shortlisted for the Health Service Journal Awards, East Cheshire NHS Charity has been named a finalist in the North Cheshire Business Awards, and the Trust’s Estates team have won the Partners in Healthcare Settings Award at the Premises and Facilities Management Awards.

Finally, as the Trust celebrated the 75^th year of the NHS, staff at the Trust rated it as a great place to work through the NHS Staff Survey.

Ged Murphy, Chief Executive at East Cheshire NHS Trust, said:

“The unwavering dedication and commitment our staff have shown to the care of our patients in the face of unprecedented challenges this year, is testament to both the strength of them all as individuals, and the NHS as an organisation – of which we marked the 75th year this year.”

“75 years of the first universal health system, still free at the point of access and the pioneer of countless treatments and medical advances, is an incredible feat, and one we are all proud to be a part of. On behalf of the Trust Board, I’d like to thank all of our colleagues and Trust volunteers for the hard work and dedication they show each and every day.”

“As we begin the new year, I’d also like to take a moment to remind you all to look after your own health and wellbeing, particularly over these winter months. This can be a challenging time of year in many ways, so, looking after ourselves, and each other, is really important. The NHS is here to support you, so please seek advice if you need it.”

East Cheshire NHS Trust is the main provider of acute and community health services for the people of East Cheshire. The Trust is based at Macclesfield District General Hospital.

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East Cheshire NHS Charity goes above and beyond standard Government funding to make your local NHS that extra special. From supporting staff health and wellbeing to providing toys to brighten up our young patients’ days to making long stay patients feel more at home – our mission is to make a visible difference. 

You can make a donation to the charity on JustGiving here. 

Pictured - Reinstatement of the Trust’s Maternity Service in June 2023.