ECCH is finalist for national award

A Lowestoft-based healthcare organisation has been shortlisted for a national award that recognises how its status as a staff owned organisation makes an impact on its business and in the communities it serves.

East Coast Community Healthcare, which provides NHS community and public health services across Norfolk and Waveney, is a finalist in the UK Employee Ownership Awards in the category of Public Service Mutual of the Year.

82% of ECCH employees are shareholders in the organisation which gives them a say in key decisions. Two Staff Directors, who are nominated by their colleagues, sit on the Board, and a Shareholder Council represents staff as a sub-committee of the Board. However, unlike most mutuals, ECCH staff do not receive dividends because, as a community interest company, ECCH’s surplus resources are reinvested to benefit the local community.

ECCH chief executive Jonathan Williams said:

“We are delighted to have been voted as finalists for this award. Being staff owned makes us unique in the local health sector – our teams get a real say in the way we operate and they’re passionate about that. It gives us a very different culture and ethos. This year has been one of great change for our staff as we introduced new ways of working based on Primary Care Networks and I believe this shortlisting recognises their commitment to accepting and promoting that change while continuing to go the extra mile to provide high quality care.”

The Employee Ownership Awards, which are sponsored by management consultants Baxendale, will be presented in Birmingham on 18^th November.