About the Trust

Our statement of purpose

"Putting patients first, treating them with dignity and respect, offering safe, skilled, sensitive care, delivered by conscientious, committed staff, in a clean and pleasant environment."

Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust (WXUHT) came into being on 1 April 2001 following the dissolution of Forest Healthcare NHS Trust.

We provide hospital services to people mainly from Waltham Forest, west Redbridge, Essex and east London, funded by service level agreements with commissioners of services.  More than three quarters of our income is derived from the local Primary Care Trusts: Waltham Forest PCT and Redbridge PCT.

Our vital statistics

In 2008/09, the Trust had a budget of £211.6M and as at 31 March 2008 employed around 2,887 staff. Approximately three-quarters of whom are directly involved in patient care.  The hospital has approximately 734 beds.  Patient services are organised into services comprising five directorates.

Our surroundings

The hospital is in Waltham Forest - one of the greenest of the London boroughs - and is conveniently situated near several tube stations and the southern end of the M11. Many bus routes pass through the grounds of the hospital. We are only 15 minutes from central london - approximately 9 miles.

More than a fifth is made up of beautifully landscaped parks, open green spaces and playing fields. The remnants of Epping Forest - which the hospital is on the edge of - and the Lee Valley, form two impressive green corridors, passing into the heart of London from the surrounding countryside. The range of facilities is huge and spans the whole of the borough.

Patient and public involvement

Whipps Cross is involving patients, visitors and local residents in improving current services and developing future health care and has an active patients forum.