A FORMER hospital governor has accused bosses of failing to accept the need to make improvements and ignoring concerns. 

Eric Watts, who worked for Basildon Hospital as a haematologist, has quit his role as Mid and South Essex Trust governor and claims four others have resigned from their roles in the past year due to “not being heard”. 

He said he “leaves with regrets” but claims he cannot see improvements happening unless there is serious change. 

It comes as the Mid and South Essex NHS Trust battles against rising pressure and is facing a financial black hole which has been blamed on rising staffing costs.

Ignored - Eric Watts said it feels like governors points have fallen of deaf earsIgnored - Eric Watts said it feels like governors points have fallen of deaf ears (Image: Eric Watts, Archive)

The trust has denied it had any issues with its governors and branded Mr Watts’ claims “vexatious”, adding they have “direct access” to their hospitals and staff to shape patient care.

Mr Watts said: “It’s an uphill struggle because nobody likes being challenged. If you challenge the system, it often fights back. We need to get a better acceptance of the need to improve in those areas which are important to patients and the public.

“Hospital governors are frustrated that the trust has not shown significant interest in the concerns they have raised.

“Those who have left have told me they left because of frustration, because they found it difficult to speak up about issues that concerned them. They weren’t being taken seriously.

“I leave with regret that I can’t see the improvements happening, I hope the hospital is now going to respond with improvement plans.”

He added patients have complained to him about test delays, not knowing when appointments will be, delays in being given the all clear and delays to test results.

He said the chief executive is on the right track, but has proposed the trust appoint a patient director to ensure complaints like this are heard at the highest level.

The trust blames staffing costs for its inability to deliver savings and earlier this year announced a “mutually agreed resignation scheme” and plans to end the use of all but the most essential agency staff.

Matthew Hopkins, chief executive at Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, said: “These claims are vexatious. We have an excellent relationship with our governors who have direct access to our hospitals and our staff and help us to shape and improve the care we provide to our patients.”