The work will see the car park split into two zones: one for staff only and one for the public. The public car park will be directly accessed from the main road, which will be located close to the CTC building. Hospital staff will not be able to use the public car park.

It is expected there will be some disruption for at least three weeks while the newly formed kerbs, fencing and barriers are installed but measures are in place to minimise disruption.

Jenny Galpin, Director of Estates & Facilities, said: “The improvements will help ensure a number of spaces are set aside for visitors going to buildings such as the CTC and the Day Unit and make parking simpler for staff. There will be some disruption during this period although this is expected to be limited and only for a few weeks. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause and ask people to bear with us while this work takes place.”

Thurrock LINK has been lauded over the last few years for its work in defending the rights of the vulnerable in the borough.

But according to reports, they were frog-marched out of their offices in the Queensgate centre, Grays on friday afternoon.

Infact, when YT went to their offices, it was like the Marie Celeste with the door wide open and computers and other materials all on open display.

A YT reporter then alerted a nearby police officer to secure the premises.

But on further investigation it appears that there has been concerns for some time over the parent company’s financial health. The parent company was, the Council for Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisation (CEMVO).

They had been running for over ten years.Last year they received a large contract to finance the work of Link.

However, according to a source, Link were concerned that there was a large large underspend to the tune of tens of thousands.

With so many pressing needs in the borough, Link became concerned. They became even more concerned when their internet bill wasn’t paid and even more so when wages did not come through.

A large meeting was held among health care professionals and matters were passed to Thurrock Council.

A source said: “With every penny being so tight and voluntary groups pleading for money, the council were advised that they should be careful giving money to a company that looked as if they were in trouble.”

YT understands that government grants to CEMVO and thus, LINK are distributed through the council.

The council has responded to a number of questions.

A spokesperson said: “Thurrock LINk have not been evicted.

“Potential issues with Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations Ltd (CEMVO) were first raised late in 2011 and the council acted upon them, meeting with senior executives (in an unannounced visit) and receiving certain assurances. Evidence to back these up was also requested.

“Wages were paid, although once last year they were late. January’s pay was on time.

“Thurrock LINk is not homeless. CEMVO informed the council on 27 January that they had appointed liquidators but because the council had already prepared for this eventuality there is an agreement with CVS that the organisation can operate out of the Beehive.

“The LINk had underspent in previous years and that trend appeared to be continuing when the council last held a contract meeting on 29 November.

“Thurrock LINk, already noted as one of the most progressive in the country, and Thurrock Council, can work together and plan proactively to overcome potential difficulties.

“Any organisation or charity can run into difficulty especially in these austere times. Thurrock’s voluntary sector have been of significant support to the LINk during this challenging period to ensure the continuation of its function within Thurrock.”

A spokesperson for Thurrock LINK was unavailable for comment.

CEMVO’s offices in Stratford are closed, the website and phones are down.

Led by Rev Darren Barlow, political leaders and faith leaders spoke out against prejudice from the past and at present.

They were joined by a large audience including many of the students who had recently visited Auschwitz.

To achieve gold standard, the Trust had to provide evidence of compliance with a least 30 standards outlined by Essex County Council, including, for example a car share scheme, discounts for bicycle purchases, providing showers at work and improving information signs at the bus stop. The Trust also had to find out about the views and travel preferences of staff through a travel survey.

Jenny Galpin, Director of Estates and Facilities, said: “We are thrilled to be awarded the gold accreditation, especially as we are one of only two organisations in the whole of the county. We have worked hard to develop travel plans which include incentives for staff to stop relying on the car if possible and use other travel methods.”

The recent staff travel survey shows 69 per cent of staff travel alone by car, compared to 75 per cent in 2008. A further eight per cent car share and the remainder travel by public transport, walk, cycle or ride a motorbike.

Mr Whittle has been at the helm as the much criticised hospital has stumbled from crisis to crisis over recent years but today staff were told that he would be leaving at some time in the future, though not until a replacement has been found.

The press office at the hospital has declined to comment on Mr Whittle’s departure, other than to confirm that it will happen in the future.

However, the Enquirer has seen the message given to staff by Board of Governors chairman Peter Dixon, which says: “After 23 years at the Trust, with eight as chief executive, Alan Whittle has decided to step down later this year. I would like to express my gratitude to Alan for his devotion to the hospital and for all that he has achieved, not least in the improved performance we have seen across many areas in the last two years. I would also like to thank him for agreeing to stay on until a successor is found.

“With a new group of non-executives taking up post shortly, now is the right time for a change in the executive leadership of the Trust as it moves on to the next stage of its development. It has been a tough time for everyone at Basildon and we have made considerable progress, but there is still more to do, to reach where we would like to be.

“We shall be looking for an exceptional individual to take on the challenge and work with the executive team and non-executive board members to continue our progress.

“I am sure that everyone at the Trust will join me in supporting Alan in business as usual as we go forward.”

Over recent years the Basildon Hospital has been subject to a number of critical reports. The hospital received a scathing report from the Quality Care Commission over its standards of cleanliness and hygiene,there have been a number of deaths at the hospital that have shown failings in the way it operates, there has been criticism of its maternity services and the hospital has been reported to have higher than expected death rates.

Mr Whittle, paid more than £150,000 a year, himself made national newspaper headlines when he admitted an affair with a member of the hospital’s board of governors. The relationship and split from his wife, publicly revealed in 2009 – two years after it happened – prompted questions over whether his relationship with Mrs Karen Bates, for whom he left his wife, meant that the board of governors, properly held him to account.

One of the strongest critics of Mr Whittle has been Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price. Today she spoke of her surprise that Mr Whittle’s departure was being delayed.

“They have missed an opportunity here to strike a positive note. It was a chance to show that the hospital has the chance of a brave new world, but instead it is being delayed and protracted again, which just shows how inept this hospital is and quite what its priorities are, rather than what they should be.

“In my view, improvements aren’t happening fast enough. It wasn’t so long that this hospital was very well respected – and it could be again.

“There’s no doubt about it, nurses, doctors and staff work hard and are under a lot of pressure, but, in my opinion, they are being let down by the management.

“Now they have missed the chance to show that they are making positive changes. It is disappointing. There needs to be a real wake up attitude coming from the top that things can and will be done and leaving Mr Whittle in post when everyone know he is going isn’t going to help that.”

Ms Doyle Price went on to talk about the hospital’s troubled past under and why she is campaigning so strongly for change.

She said: “For me it was the sad death of Luz Tacon, which was the final straw that convinced me that change was needed at Basildon. It came on top of a number of cases where the standard of care was not what it should have been.

I made it a personal priority to fight for better standards of care and to hold to account those who were responsible for poor standards.

“The decision by Alan Whittle to fall on his sword is a recognition by him that he has taken the Trust as far as he can in delivering the necessary improvements. What is needed is a step change in performance which can only be delivered through new leadership.

“The problems at Basildon were highlighted in a statement to Parliament as far back as November 2009

“The management has made attempts to tackle the weaknesses and have made some progress, but too often the improvement has not been sustained. I have been particularly concerned about care of elderly and vulnerable patients.

“It would be easy to lay responsibility at the door of Alan Whittle, but ultimately the responsibility rests with the whole Board.

“Last year the regulator criticised Basildon for its procedures around ‘Do not resuscitate orders’, which were placing patients at considerable risk. It appears that the problem has actually been reported to the Board some six months earlier but it had failed to take any action.

“Non-executive directors need to understand that they have to do more than take the money that comes with these posts and they should examine their consciences about the role they have played in the failure by the Hospital to achieve sustainable improvement.

“But there are questions too for the regulators.

“Each time the Care Quality Commission has visited Basildon they have found serious breaches of minimum standards.

“Monitor is responsible for the regulation of Foundation Trusts, their Chief Executive gets paid more than the Prime Minister. The buck stops with them if a hospital like Basildon continues to fail – something I have repeatedly reminded them of over the last few months. Given that the problems here became apparent in November 2009, Monitor has failed too.

“But it is not all doom and gloom. Many people do report that they are satisfied with the care they receive. The Management of the Trust must redouble their efforts to make sure that this is the case for all patients.

“There is a need to make sure that all staff are properly trained so that they deal with patients appropriately and sensitively.

“The change of leadership at the top gives the opportunity to transform the culture and performance so that poor standards are no longer tolerated and all patients using Basildon receive the high standards of care that they deserve.”

On Monday (9 January) the Thurrock Health and Well-Being Stakeholder Forum was launched at the Culver Centre in South Ockendon.

More than 100 people attended, representing a wide range of organisations and groups.

The forum was led by the chair of Thurrock’s shadow Health and Well-Being Board, Cllr Barbara Rice and by Graham Farrant, the council’s Chief Executive.

Delegates heard how the planned health reforms are likely to impact on Thurrock and they had a chance to take part in workshops linked to developing Thurrock’s refreshed Joint Strategic Needs Assessment which shapes the priorities for spending on health and well-being in Thurrock.

The forum enables any organisation or person with an interest or role, in health and well-being in Thurrock, to help shape the future.

The aim of health reform is closer integration of services, less bureaucracy with decision-making as close as possible to the patient and service user or citizen.

Feedback from the event will be evaluated along with plans for developing the forum, including future themed events.

So far £95,000 has been raised for the appeal, which will fund additional equipment in the new Children’s A&E Department at Basildon University Hospital. That leaves just £5,000 to raise before hitting the £100,000 target.

Helen Mattock, Hospital Fundraiser, said: “We have been overwhelmed by people’s generosity, especially in the current economic climate. We appreciate people giving their spare pennies to help us make Children’s A&E as welcoming and unintimidating a place for children, as possible. We’re on the home straight – we just need a final push to reach the £100,000 target and make Polly fly!”

The appeal was launched in autumn 2010, when building work was underway on the new £17m project to transform A&E and Fracture Clinic. Within the new building, is the first stand alone Children’s A&E environment in Essex, for children and young adults. The environment will focus on health education and feature multi-sensory and distraction equipment, which will be particularly therapeutic for all children especially those with special needs. It is hoped Children’s A&E will open its doors to the public in March.

Jenny Galpin, Director of Estates and Facilities, said: “It is really important to treat children in the right situation and the new Children’s A&E really shows the Trust’s commitment to providing a high standard of care for children. When we started building work on the A&E and Fracture Clinic project in 2009, we said work would be finished in Spring 2012 so it is good to be able to see the finish line now. The new building is looking great and I want to thank our staff and patients for being so tolerant while building work has been taking place.”

To get involved with the appeal or to make a donation, please call the Charity Office on 01268 524900 ext 3202 or email charity@btuh.nhs.uk.

The BHF is encouraging compression-only cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of cardiac arrest; the campaign should benefit those who do not have any training but want to help someone in need.

The high-profile national awareness campaign is fronted by hard-man footballer-turned-actor Vinnie Jones and the ambulance service will promote the charity’s messages via the web.

Dr Pamela Chrispin, Medical Director of EEAST, said: “The period of time between someone collapsing from cardiac arrest and getting their heart started again is the single most important factor to their survival.

“This new campaign by the BHF will hopefully mean more people are more confident they have the potential to save someone’s life by providing hard and fast chest compressions while the ambulance service is en route.”

BHF research shows many people are worried about the idea of giving the “kiss of life” (mouth-to-mouth resuscitation). Instead, Vinnie Jones is urging people to: “Call 999. Then press hard and fast to the beat of Stayin’ Alive.”

The Bee-Gees song has 103 beats/minute – which is the ideal rhythm for people to administer chest compressions.

The campaign is also designed to highlight the positive impact community resuscitation can have. The ambulance service develops and supports community resuscitation through training, and also runs the community first responder scheme.

Community first responders (CFRs) live or work in a community where groups of volunteers are dispatched to life-threatening calls, such as cardiac arrest, whilst an ambulance response is dispatched.

Alan Murray, Director of Service Delivery said: “Community first responders play a really important role in helping us give emergency care to those most in need. They also get something very personal out of it; volunteering is not only really rewarding but you know you’re potentially saving the life of someone in your community.”

For more information on the campaign, visit http://www.bhf.org.uk/media/news-from-the-bhf/cpr-made-easy.aspx. To learn more about being a community first responder, visit http://www.eastamb.nhs.uk/community-first-responders.htm. or community.partnerships@eastamb.nhs.uk.

After the guided tour of the House, some of the group decided that they would like to walk to Downing Street, and although the gates across the entrance to Downing Street were closed, one of the BATIAS co-ordinators asked the police officer on duty if it would be possible grant the group special permission to have photographs taken outside the door of No. 10, and to everyone’s delight, the B

It was a truly memorable occasion for all concerned.

The tragic story of how first her brother John contracted the disease which strikes at the immune system followed by his sister struck the heart of many in the borough.

Her brother John, 15, was struck down with the disease in June 2004, followed by Bridie just a few months later in September.

Bridie’s mother, Marina Philpott and the family spent years campaigning, fundraising, hoping that one day a cure would be found.

Tributes have been pouring in for Bridie and her family, particularly on their Curebattens site on Facebook which has over 1,400 members.

Among the comments are:

Jo Richardson: “Trying to explain how much I miss you, is like trying to count all the stars in the sky. Impossible! Sleep tight sweetheart.”

Kaylie Stone: “R.I.P Bridie sleep tight you are with all the angels now xxxx and thinking of all bridies family!”

Margaret Harris: “Going to miss you so much tinkerbell but one day we will meet again and I’ll make sure i bring a hair brush with me until then your have a place in my heart forever,love you always.”

Details of the funeral arrangements for the Crouch Road family will be announced later in the week.

The meeting is being held in the Board Room at Phoenix Place, Christopher Martin Road, Basildon, SS14 3HG.

Members of the public are warmly invited to attend. Car parking is available on the fifth and sixth floors of the multi storey car park at the back of Phoenix Place and visitors should then report to reception.

The Board papers will be posted online before the meeting at:

www.see-pct.nhs.uk/aboutus/board_meeting.asp

www.swessex.nhs.uk/about-us/board/

In a letter published in The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday, the experts say that a lack of “political leadership” must not be allowed to condemn 800,000 frail pensioners to a life of loneliness any longer.

The signatories include three advisers who have been leading the Department of Health’s consultation on reform, alongside crossbench peers and representatives of the British Medical Association, Age UK, Carers UK, the British Red Cross, and the TUC.

They back proposals that no one should pay more than £35,000 for care bills during their lifetime, and urge Mr Cameron to secure cross party support for “lasting reform”.

“The unavoidable challenge we face is how to support the increasing number of people who need care,” the letter says.

“It is currently a challenge which we are failing to meet – resulting in terrible examples of abuse and neglect in parts of the care system.

“This comes at huge cost to the dignity and independence of older and disabled people, but also to our society, family life and the economy: an estimated 800,000 older people are being left without basic care – lonely, isolated and at risk.

Shadow portfolio holder for adult social care, cllr Amanda Arnold has been at the forefront of the debate for several years in the borough. Cllr Arnold said: “The Dilnot review has provided a number of opportunities for improvement, not least eradicating the problem of those with lower incomes and cheaper homes spending everything to pay for their care, which has always been seen as the most unfair element of the current system.

Thurrock Council has invested year on year in its adult social care services. It was always a Conservative priority, but even so, the constant need to negotiate on prices with our partner providers due to shrinking resources needs to be managed carefully to ensure that they are able to maintain a positive and well trained workforce.

“The way we treat our most vulnerable people reflects on us as a society, and I would support those who are working to keep this issue on the agenda of local government.”

The assessors visited the Trust in November to judge the team for re-accreditation as a Practice Development Unit (PDU) for the fourth time. Accreditation as a PDU shows the team has achieved a recognised patient focussed quality mark through innovative ways of working and demonstrating leading edge best practice.

The Macmillan team took the assessors to Gray’s Shopping Centre, where they held a roadshow to share information with the public about their work, before inviting the assessors back to Basildon University Hospital for a display of the projects developed by the team over the past two years.

The assessors said: “We very much enjoyed a wonderfully inspiring visit, to a truly patient centred team. It was obvious to us that this is a very cohesive team: there was a genuine sense that everyone knew and respected each others’ skills, and enabled patients and their families to access the services that they need. It was clear to us that there is great intelligence within the team and that this is used entirely for benefits to patients.

“It was very pleasing to meet the Chairman, Chief Executive and Director of Nursing at the informal lunch session. In short, therefore, it was a privilege to meet this highly-motivated, highly-performing team and to share their day in what felt very much like a celebration of their great practice.”

The comments have been a welcome boost to the team, who work tirelessly providing support for cancer patients and their families in challenging times.

This was Sharon Quinn’s last reaccreditation as team leader, before leaving the Trust to take up post at St Luke’s Hospice. She said: “We were absolutely thrilled that the assessors could see how much hard work we put in and how much we have achieved. They made a few suggestions for how we can improve, but all-in-all we couldn’t have asked for better feedback.

“Our PDU journey has generated a lot of interest from other Trusts and organisations and we have been invited to share our work both locally and nationally. We became a PDU in 2000 and are very proud to have kept this status for so many years particularly, in the current economic climate. We are particularly grateful to Macmillan Cancer Support for providing us with a team grant to help fund the process.

“Being a PDU not only allows us to provide a responsive and innovative service to our patients, it also has a positive impact on staff morale, recruitment, retention and focus for the team.”

Alan Whittle, Chief Executive at Basildon University Hospital, said: “This is brilliant news for the Trust’s Macmillan support services and a much deserved acknowledgement for all the hard work put in by the team. I can’t remember ever seeing a more positive assessment report. I would like to say well done, to the whole team.”

The Non Executive Directors will work as members of the new joint Board alongside recently appointed NHS South Essex Cluster Chair, Katherine Kirk.

The new Non Executive Directors are:

Robert Peters, Audit Chair of NHS South West Essex. This appointment is in addition to his existing re-appointment as Audit Chair of NHS South East Essex from 1 June 2012 until 31 March 2013. This post is remunerated at £13,136 per annum. There is no additional remuneration associated with the new appointment.

Tony Le Masurier, Non-executive Director of NHS South West Essex. This is in addition to his existing appointment as Non-executive Director of NHS South East Essex. This post is remunerated at £7,882 per annum. There is no additional remuneration associated with the new appointment.

Melvin Porter, Non-executive Director of NHS South East Essex. This is in addition to his existing appointment as Non-executive Director of NHS South West Essex. This post is remunerated at £7,882 per annum. There is no additional remuneration associated with the new appointment.

Roger Sinden, Non-executive Director of NHS South West Essex. This is in addition to his existing appointment as Non-executive Director of NHS South East Essex. This post is remunerated at £7,882 per annum. There is no additional remuneration associated with the new appointment.

Anthony Cox, Non-executive Director of NHS South East Essex. This is in addition to his existing re-appointment as Non-executive Director of NHS South West Essex from1 October 2012 until 31 March 2013. This post is remunerated at £7,882 per annum. There is no additional remuneration associated with the new appointment.

Glynnis Cheers, Non-executive Director of NHS South East Essex. This is in addition to her existing appointment as Non-executive Director of NHS South West Essex. This post is remunerated at £7,882 per annum. There is no additional remuneration associated with the new appointment.

Gillian Hind, Non-executive Director of NHS South West Essex. This is in addition to her existing re-appointment as Non-executive Director of NHS South East Essex from 1 October 2012 until 31 March 2013. This post is remunerated at £7,882 per annum. There is no additional remuneration associated with the new appointment.

All appointments listed above run from 1 December 2011 until 31 March 2013.

Katherine Kirk, Chair of NHS South Essex Cluster Board, said: “I am delighted with the appointments of the seven Non-Executive Directors to our new joint Board.

The diversity and wealth of experience they bring will ensure we are in a strong position to lead and support the future commissioning agenda and the development of GP consortia, until full GP commissioning is in place.”

“I would also like to pay tribute to the major contribution which was made by the Chair of South West Essex PCT and the Non Executive Directors of both South West and South East Essex PCTs. In particular, I would like to thank those colleagues who are leaving us.”

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However and in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any is declared) to be made public.

Where an appointee has declared political activity it will be stated. In addition, details of any other Ministerial appointments held and the remuneration paid (where applicable) will also be provided.

All appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice.