A hospitals trust is set to plough millions of pounds of investment into improving services over the next 12 months.

The Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Trust (BHRUT) launched its operational plan today (June 8) for King George Hospital in Goodmayes and Queen's Hospital in Romford.

The investment includes £3.9million into surgery to improve planned care, £2.7million on improving the emergency departments, £1.7million in critical care services to support planned and emergency care, and £500K in stroke services.

More than £14million will also be spent on increasing the workforce.

A total of 34 doctors, 24 allied health professionals, 113 registered nurses and midwives, and 24 healthcare assistants are set to be hired.

BHRUT, still in special measures with King George A&E earmarked for closure, is seeking to end this year by not increasing its £38million deficit.

Director of planning and governance at the trust, Jason Seez, said: “Our objectives for the year encourage us to be ambitious on our journey to become outstanding, to deliver high quality care, run our hospitals efficiently, become an employer of choice, manage our finances and work in partnership.

“To provide the care our patients deserve, we need to invest in our services, staffing and equipment.

“We need to deliver hospital services thinking like a patient and acting like a taxpayer.”