Two members of staff at Southend Hospital have been chosen to take part in the prestigious Improvement Fellows Programme.

It is delivered by UCL Partners, an academic health science centre located in London.

Dr Gowrie Balasubramaniam, consultant in nephrology, and James Currell, general manager for medical specialties and acute medicine, are taking part in the programme for 2017 - which will help benefit their departments and the trust as a whole.

They join 38 people from a range of backgrounds - primary and acute care, mental health and social services, junior doctors and GPs, allied health professionals and general management.

Established in 2016, the programme aims to create a network of people who have the enthusiasm, motivation and capability to drive improvement within their organisations and professional communities.

Dr Balasubramaniam said: “I want to consolidate my learning in quality improvement and then apply it to wider areas in the trust. It will also help with any changes that will take place in the near future.”

Mr Currell added: “As a Southend resident and staff member this will help me to lead on positive change to benefit our fantastic hospital for the good of patients and staff.

“As part of the Mid and South Essex Success Regime, we must collaborate closely to develop Southend’s strengths whilst working with our neighbouring trusts to provide sustainable, high quality and patient centred healthcare.”

Throughout the 12 month Improvement Fellows Programme, those taking part will support each other, their own organisations and others in delivering better results for patients and populations.

Importantly, they will also better equip themselves and their organisations to progressively improve.

As part of the success regime, Southend, Basildon and Broomfield, in Chelmsford, will start to share some services.