Better healthcare plans

The aim is to tackle the public's leading concerns such as infection control, cleanliness and reducing deaths from heart disease, stroke and cancer.

The proposals also aim to reduce the gap between the healthiest communities and those with lower levels of life expectancy.

They are published in 'NHS South East Operating Framework 2008/9 - 2010/11: Towards Healthier People and Excellent Care'.

This is the first time the NHS has set its own goals at a regional level which exceed the targets set nationally and reflect a determination to deliver better, safer care to the public across South East Coast.

Specific priorities and goals to be delivered by April 2011 include:

- A zero tolerance to MRSA, with an expectation there will be no hospital-acquired MRSA cases by 2011

- Reducing the number of Clostridium Difficile cases by 55%

- Reducing the number of cardiovascular and cancer deaths in under-75s 10% beyond the current aims

A number of national targets remain on the issues that matter most to patients across the country, such as speeding up access to care.

Financial recovery across the region means there are now surpluses in many PCT's which can be invested to deliver new improved services, while organisations are ensuring they are clinically and financially sustainable for the long term.

Candy Morris, Chief Executive of NHS South East Coast, said: "We are setting ambitious goals for the NHS across Kent, Surrey and Sussex on the things that we know matter most to local people.

"We know the public's number one concern is around infection control and cleanliness and that is why we will continue our relentless focus on patient safety and the quality of care.

"We are also determined to bring down death rates from heart disease and cancer, the region's two biggest killers.

"The ambitious goals the NHS has set itself today will deliver real improvements in services for patients and in the health of our local communities. I would like to thank colleagues from across the region for their hard work and commitment to setting out and taking forward these plans."