The state of healthcare across the UK is often the subject of conversation. From discussing postnatal care to pioneering treatments, through to where we look after our teeth and eyes, there’s much to think about before we ever make a decision. For good reason – better healthcare means a better life expectancy, and ultimately more peace of mind.
However, not all areas are equal in what they provide, as we’re sure you’re well aware. While some areas are shining examples of the NHS’ hospital hygiene standards, there are more still that fall below those expectations. That’s what Vanguard’s reports seek to highlight, alongside helping you make an informed decision.
With our newest exposé, we’re looking at the East of England. Home to an estimated 6.3 million people, as well as major attractions in its seaside resorts, it’s an area that’s often under scrutiny, but rarely so for its healthcare facilities.
We’ll be examining findings from the latest Care Quality Commission reports, what those statistics mean for the region’s residents, and what you’ll need to be aware of if you’re considering a move to England’s eastern reaches.
Perhaps one of the UK’s most divided regions, England’s East is a seamless blend of heavy industry and fast-paced logistics in places like Felixstowe and the London commuter belt, and the serenity of the coastlines and countryside that characterise Norfolk and Suffolk.
A diverse landscape attracts an equally diverse crowd, and it’ll no doubt be a reassurance to know that healthcare in East England is robust enough to accommodate everyone. That’s best exemplified by the headline statistic from the CQC that 79.3% (or just shy of 4 in every 5) of all healthcare facilities across the East are rated as “Good”.
There’s more positive news, too. 4.3% (or 221)of healthcare facilities went above and beyond, securing a rating of “Outstanding” – the highest tier in the CQC’s 4-level ranking system. A standout example of that ranking in action is Southend Private Hospital, which achieved that coveted rating across 3 key metrics.
However, while there’s undoubtedly a good complement of positivity across the East of England, there are also areas where concerns are starting to creep through. The latest statistics show an estimated 15.5% of healthcare facilities (796) across the East of England received a “Requires Improvement” rating.
There’s further bad news, too. 46 (or around 1.1%) healthcare services were ranked as “Inadequate” by the CQC, signalling that corrective action has already been put into place to ensure there are positive changes in the near future.
Of course, while we’ve seen an overview of healthcare in the East of England, that’s not to say every area sees an even share of issues. Let’s examine some of the worst-affected locations in more detail.
We’ve analysed the latest data from the CQC to determine the hardest-hit areas for medical facilities in the East of England.
Nestled in the Lea Valley, it’ll come as no surprise that Cheshunt is one of the leafier towns in the already leafy Hertfordshire area. Couple that with a keen sense of history and some surprising cultural contributions, and it’s easy to see why Cheshunt is a surprise inclusion among the worst areas for healthcare in East England.
However, a deep dive into the statistics behind that ranking shows exactly why Cheshunt finds itself in unfamiliar territory. While the area’s 4 “Outstanding” facilities are no doubt a much-needed positive, it’s the 29 that “Require Improvement” and the additional 1 that’s got the unwanted distinction of “Inadequate”, that drive home the issues in the town.
One of Norfolk’s smaller but no less pivotal port towns, King’s Lynn is a bastion of culture on the shores of the North Sea, as well as one of Britain’s fastest-growing ports over the last 20 years. However, that growth perhaps hasn’t been reflected in the medical facilities.
6 facilities across King’s Lynn have been rated as “Requiring Improvement”, with another 1 falling far below the expected standards at “Inadequate”. There is a note of positivity, however, best exemplified by the 3 services that have earned the distinction of “Outstanding”.
A small yet historic corner of Essex, the town of Witham has undergone substantial transformations, from a spa town to literary inspiration to its current place as a residential hub for the wider Braintree district. Despite its popularity, though, some would argue the town’s healthcare services fall short of the mark.
While the positives are apparent – especially so in the 1 facility that’s been rated as “Outstanding” – there are also worries about the number that don’t cut the mustard. Of the 46 that have been rated, 11 fell below the expected standards, with 2 of those earning the unwanted grade of “Inadequate”.
One of the UK’s foremost new towns, Hemel Hempstead has in recent times become more known for its “Magic Roundabout” – an unusual yet compelling local attraction, and characteristic of the flow of traffic across the East of England. Less compelling, however, is the state of healthcare facilities in the town.
While the bulk of Hemel’s medical services (78 out of 97 rated services) are ranked as “Good” or “Outstanding”, there’s a substantial portion that fall below the standards the CQC expects. Of those, 19 have been ranked as “Requiring Improvement”.
Perched upon the confluence of multiple rivers and the Grand Union Canal, the town of Rickmansworth offers an idyllic locale surrounded by marshlands and parklands. Despite that undeniable attractiveness, the town’s healthcare facilities leave much to be desired.
While the 4 medical services rated as “Outstanding” do inspire confidence, they’re a far cry from the 32 facilities that fall short of the mark. In that, 1 facility is ranked as “Inadequate” with emergency measures in place, with a further 31 rated as “Requiring Improvement”.
The Essex mainstay of Grays lies on the bank of the River Thames and holds a distinction as one of the retail capitals of its counties. While its close proximity to the Lakeside Shopping Centre is an undoubted plus, the overall rating of the town’s healthcare facilities might serve as a counterbalance.
A deeper dive only serves to highlight the reasons why Grays makes it onto the list of the worst areas for healthcare in East England. 31 of those medical services have been rated as “Requiring Improvement”, and a further 7 have received that dread “Inadequate” ranking.
A bubbling hub of culture, artistry and natural beauty, Bedford’s proximity to the surrounding beauty of its eponymous borough makes it an ideal spot for those seeking to escape the usual trappings of modern life. However, there’s a sour note in how the market town’s medical facilities stack up.
Of course, there are some positives, chiefly in the 6 facilities that have achieved the highly sought-after “Outstanding” ranking. That’s largely where those plus points end, though, with a concerning 26 services ranked as “Requiring Improvement”.
Bisected by both the River Lea and the Lee Navigation, the town of Hoddesdon is, despite being relatively under the radar for those not living in the area, the second-largest town in its borough of Broxbourne. It’s cultivating a reputation for the wrong reasons, however, with its medical services.
A closer look does little to alleviate those concerns. 18 of the region’s healthcare facilities have been ranked as “Requiring Improvement”, with a further 1 earning the unwanted distinction of “Inadequate”.
Occupying a role as one of Hertfordshire’s premier commuter towns, especially given its direct line straight into Central London, Harpenden is a leafy suburban town lodged at the heart of Hertfordshire. While it’s got an indescribable charm, the problems its healthcare services face are all too concrete.
While we could focus on the positives (such as the 3 facilities that achieved an “Outstanding” ranking), the negatives can often overshadow those. That’s most stark in the 20 services that still “Require Improvement”, accounting for almost 1 in every 4.
There’s much to draw the discerning visitor to Braintree. From its extensive range of retail options (second only to Grays) to the keen sense of Essex heritage in its architecture, its draws are immediately apparent. Less apparent but no less concerning, however, is the overall picture of healthcare in Braintree.
11 of Braintree’s 46 healthcare services have been rated as “Requiring Improvement”, with a further 54 still to be rated by the Care Quality Commission. There is a silver lining, though – 1 of Braintree’s medical services achieved that elusive “Outstanding” rating.
A major proponent of the post-war social housing boom, Harlow’s popularity over the last 70 years has sky-rocketed. With such popularity naturally comes additional pressures, and it would appear that Harlow’s medical services haven’t been able to match that demand, with the town falling into the top 5 worst areas for healthcare in the East of England.
Under the microscope, Harlow’s major issues become all too apparent. 20 of the town’s healthcare facilities fall below the standards expected by the CQC, rated as “Requiring Improvement”. There’s also a further 1 that’s earned the worst possible rating – “Inadequate”.
At the foot of several steep chalk escarpments, the town of Dunstable has seen a notable change over the last 20 years, eschewing its roots as a market town in favour of larger and often more convenient options. Healthcare facilities have changed too, but the statistics point towards these only dropping in quality.
The CQC’s statistics illustrate the grim reality of medical services in the Dunstable area. While 6 facilities were ranked as “Outstanding”, almost 6 times that (35 facilities) fell below the Care Quality Commission’s expected standards and were branded as “Requiring Improvement”.
A famed part of Bedfordshire, and renowned for both its international airport and its proud history in the hatmaking industry survived by the nickname of its football team, Luton will no doubt be a surprise inclusion on this list. But the data points in an entirely different direction.
Diving into the CQC’s statistics, we find that, of the 148 services that have been rated thus far, a concerning 40 have been recognised as “Requiring Improvement”. There is a positive note, however, in that 6 of those rated facilities earned that coveted “Outstanding” ranking.
Norfolk’s main city, and officially nominated as one of the Best Places to Live in the Sunday Times, there’s much to be said about the advantages of choosing to live in a place like Norwich. However, what Norwich appears to lack is a good reputation for its healthcare facilities, according to data from the CQC.
Of course, there are positives. 10 of Norwich’s 415 healthcare facilities earned the distinction of “Outstanding”, but outside of that, we find the true reason for Norwich’s inclusion among the worst areas for healthcare in the East of England. 38 healthcare services fall below the expected standards (ranked as “Requiring Improvement”), while another 3 are completely “Inadequate”.
Officially the worst area for healthcare in the East of England, Great Yarmouth is perhaps mercifully more known for its seaside getaways, flourishing fisheries and sweeping vistas. However, it’s impossible to ignore the conclusions that data from the Care Quality Commission allows us to draw.
Of the 39 healthcare services that have been rated thus far by the CQC, 11 of them have been found lacking and rated as “Requiring Improvement”. That’s alongside another 1 that’s found to be “Inadequate”, with corrective actions being put into place. Those figures are only expected to rise in the coming months, especially as the CQC continues its inspections.
With all the healthcare reports we produce, we seek to be as transparent and impartial as possible. We take our data directly from the Care Quality Commission’s Find and Compare Services function, which lets us view services across the country, as well as the rating criteria the CQC uses.
We’ve then taken data from around 50 of the most populated towns and cities across Eastern England and included all facilities within a 5-mile radius of the town or city centre. While this means some facilities appear more than once (such as Watford General Hospital also treating patients from both Bushey and Rickmansworth), it ensures our data is as accurate as possible.
We’ve also decided to cover only the services that have been rated by the CQC. While it means our dataset only encompasses 10,250 healthcare services (of a possible 21,532), it ensures that we reflect official reviews, and avoids any speculation.
