Welcome to Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s website.
Whether you are a patient, visitor, carer or Foundation Trust member, someone who is considering a career at the hospital, or have simply chanced upon this site, we hope you will find our website interesting and informative.
We became licensed as a Foundation Trust hospital in June 2006 by which time we had already established an active and enthusiastic Board of Governors (both appointed and elected) who have been working closely together to share their diverse interests in the hospital and in healthcare matters generally.
Our motto at Southend Hospital is “putting patients first” and we are totally committed to improving every aspect of our services to ensure we remain the hospital of choice for people in south east Essex, as well as those patients who live further afield and choose to have their treatment here in Southend.
We provide a comprehensive range of acute services including medical and surgical specialities – see other sections of the website for more detailed information. As well as providing general cancer treatment including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, we are the south Essex surgical centre for uro-oncology and gynae-oncology surgery. We also offer breast screening, ophthalmology and orthodontic services to the wider south Essex population. Many of our services can be chosen by any patient who wishes to visit us, simply ask your GP at your referral or choose us via 'Choose and Book'.
We have been awarded University status, in recognition of the high calibre education we provide for medical students. Indeed, many of those who have spent some time at Southend Hospital as students return to work here once they have qualified. We are committed to being a good employer and are proud of our ability to attract and retain top-quality staff. Over the last few years we have been awarded
History Of Southend Hospital
** History **
A long tradition of hospital care
Behind the welcome and care patients receive when they come to Southend Hospital is a proud tradition of well over 100 years of local hospital services.
It was in 1887, to celebrate Queen Victoria's Jubilee, that a public fund was started. A site for Southend's first hospital was bought for £350 (where Warrior Square swimming pool now stands). Built for £1,287.4s.6d Southend Victoria Hospital opened in May 1888. By Christmas, with 8 beds and 2 cots, it had treated 61 patients at an average weekly cost of 4s.6d (22p).
A Brief History of Southend Hospital
1930 Building work commenced
1932 Hospital officially opened by Rt. Hon Earl of Iveagh
1935 Fracture clinic established
1938 Average number of occupied beds for 1st quarter was 221. First modern
anaesthetic machine purchased at cost of £92.
1939 Outbreak of World War 2. 408 beds ready for service. 25,000 sandbags
assembled in position. Plans made for evacuation of hospital.
1940 Food rationing introduced to hospital.
1945 VE day – double pay to any members of staff required to remain on duty
1946 Two senior nurses (without late night passes) were dismissed for returning to hospital at 2 am under the influence of alcohol.
1947 First female doctor appointed to the resident staff (Dr Catherine Johnstone). Visit by HRH Duchess of Kent
