A FIVE-YEAR plan outlining how Hinchingbrooke Hospital will become one of the top 10 district general hospitals in the country has been published.

The target was set last year, after Circle became the first private healthcare company to manage an NHS trust.

Under the banner of Making Heathcare Better, it wants to be in the top 10 for patient experience, value for money, staff engagement and clinical outcomes.

The main goal and the four objectives were shared with staff, volunteers and others with an interest in the hospital earlier this month.

This year, the focus will be on reducing cancelled appointments and the number of people being readmitted.

Stop The Line, a process for ensuring life-threatening incidents do not happen by learning from incidents and making changes, is to be extended during 2013/14.

The plan also includes a commitment to reduce the length of time patients are in hospital, as well as pledging that two-thirds of nursing time will be spent with patients.

In terms of patient experience, the aim is to minimise the amount of travel to and from hospital and to work in partnership with other organisations to provide as much care as possible outside hospital.

Anyone treated at Hinchingbrooke will be asked for feedback.

The installation of bedside entertainment in wards across the hospital is to continue, including access to information about the hospital at the touch of a button.

Bosses want Hinchingbrooke to become people’s hospital of choice, with data showing that many who live within a 30-minute drive are currently choosing to be treated elsewhere.

Investment in buildings is to continue, with new fire alarms, emergency lighting and ‘swipe access’ door systems due to be fitted.

Ground floor corridors, the radiology department, education centre and main reception are to be refurbished.

An activity programme is to be drawn up to keep staff healthy in an attempt to reduce absence and save money.

The organisation also plans to go through the Best Companies process – with the top 100 being published annually by the Sunday Times.

Jenny Williams, head of staff engagement, said employees had played a crucial role in shaping the plan.

“We recognise that our people are our greatest asset, so we are committed to listening to our staff and continuously improving in everything that we do.”