About us

At East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) we provide hospital and community health care services for Colchester, Ipswich and local areas. Formed on 1 July 2018, ESNEFT is the largest NHS organisation in East Anglia.

We provide services from Colchester and Ipswich hospitals, Aldeburgh, Clacton, Halstead, Harwich and Felixstowe community hospitals and Bluebird Lodge near Ipswich. We also provide community services in Suffolk and north Essex.

Colchester and Ipswich hospitals have major Emergency Departments (A&E). Other services are listed in our A-Z services.

Our mission

To continue to meet the principles of the NHS identified in 1948, that good healthcare should be available to all, regardless of ability to pay.

Our vision

Our vision is to provide the communities we serve with excellent healthcare and build a better future for east Suffolk and north Essex.

Our aims

Our aims are to see patients at the right time, attract and retain the best staff, and provide the latest services locally.

Our philosophy is that time matters – we will remove or improve the things we do that cause unnecessary stress or frustration for our patients, their families and carers and our staff.

Council of Governors

Foundation Trust governors are direct representatives of local communities, made up of staff, patients/public and partner organisations governors.

The Trust’s Council of Governors represents the interests of its public members and the public. Governors are expected to engage with them about the Trust’s performance and forward plan.

The Council of Governors is made up of:

  • 18 elected public governors
  • Four for Colchester
  • Five for rest of Essex
  • Four for Ipswich
  • Five for rest of Suffolk
  • Seven elected staff governors
  • Ten appointed governors