Health chiefs celebrate earning 'excellence' status

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – which provides hospital and community health services in Northumberland and North Tyneside – has been chosen by the Government because of its “proven track record” of delivering excellent patient care and managing it’s finances well following a rigorous assessment process by NHS England.

Last year the Government announced that eight trusts from across the country would be assessed as part of the first wave of the AFT programme.

They were assessed against priority areas including leadership, performance and quality of care, financial sustainability and if we are a good partner.

Dr Birju Bartoli, chief executive officer of Northumbria Healthcare, said: “Being an advanced foundation trust is testament to all our staff and to their hard work, commitment and drive for excellence and improvement.

“It also reflects that we are committed to continue to work closely with our wide range of partners and community organisations to deliver the very best care and experience for our patients.”

She added: “This should give patients, our staff and the local communities we serve confidence in our services.”

The new status gives the Trust more scope to invest in local health services – which it says is important as the communities it serves have different health needs to those in other parts of the country.

Dr Bartoli added: “Being an advanced foundation trust give us the ability for us to hold an integrated care organisation (IHO) contract, one of only two nationally.

“I am extremely proud to be in this position.”