A NEW NHS organisation that brings together NHS planning and commissioning across the whole of Essex launches today (1 April).

 NHS Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a health, care and partnerships across Essex that will focus on preventing illness and strengthening community and neighbourhood services. 

 As part of the national NHS reform, NHS Essex says it will: 

• focus on prevention and early intervention, not just treatment 
• deliver more care in neighbourhoods and community settings 
• use data and digital tools intelligently to improve decisions and outcomes
• reduce avoidable differences in health between communities
• ensure every pound of public money delivers maximum value 

 Tom Abell, Chief Executive of NHS Essex, said: "The launch of NHS Essex marks a new chapter for health and care across our county.

 "We recognise that many residents in Essex do not get the service they need from the NHS. This is not good enough and it's our job to make NHS services better in Essex.

 "We'll be listening to residents and working with our partners across the NHS, public and community sectors to ensure that what we do makes a real difference for patients.

 "We'll be talking more in the coming months about our plans in detail, but our initial focus will be on reducing waiting times so people are diagnosed and treated sooner, and designing services around the needs of our communities."

People can stay informed about the work of NHS Essex by visiting the new website www.essex.icb.nhs.uk and signing up for regular email news updates and by visiting Essex Virtual Views, the NHS Essex online engagement community, where they can share views and help shape future NHS plans and decisions across Essex. 

The statement adds: "Please visit our website to learn more about NHS Essex Integrated Care Board and our plans to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities across Essex. "