The new interim host for community services in Suffolk has been named as North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (NEPFT).

The move is in response to national policy that requires primary care trusts to separate their commissioning (buying and managing) from their provider role.

NEPFT has been selected as the preferred partner and to be the interim provider of universal adult, specialist children’s and certain specialist adult community services for the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012. This includes services such as district nursing, speech and language therapy and podiatry services.

Seven trusts were invited to express their interest in providing an interim hosting arrangement and three bids were received.

Martin Royal, NHS Suffolk’s director of corporate services, said: “In coming to this decision our priority has been ensuring the continued high quality of care for patients. NEPFT was chosen as their ethos is most closely aligned with what we want to achieve. People will still receive the same level of services in the same location and the constant work to improve services will continue.


“Over the next 12-months, in close collaboration with GPs, patient and public representatives and other health and social care partners we will work towards identifying a long-term host/s for community services in Suffolk. Ultimately the goal is to create a more joined-up healthcare system for patients and the public.”

Andrew Geldard, Chief Executive of North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said, “This is very good, reassuring, news for everyone. I am delighted with this decision. We are experts in community care and very close by. We will do the best possible job, and with local staff, make sure there is no disturbance for patients and their families.”