Marking ELFT Jubilees

On 1 April 2000,  mental health services in Tower Hamlets, Newham and City and Hackney Primary Care Trusts came together to become a specialist provider of mental health services for East London. It was the first time that mental health services had separated from general community health services and acute services. The aim was to provide a sole focus on the needs of local people with mental health and psychological issues. There have been many milestones along the way which the Trust plans to mark throughout the year ahead.

We were originally called East London and The City Mental Health Trust but later became East London NHS Foundation Trust to reflect the broader range of services we provided.

Foundation Trust Status
In April 2007, we achieved NHS foundation trust status and are proud to now have over 9000 members. Our members help us keep true to our values and to make sure that our patients’ needs are always at the heart of all that we do.

Becoming an ‘Outstanding’ Trust
We launched our world renowned Quality Improvement Programme in February 2014. In September 2016, the Care Quality Commission rated the Trust as ‘Outstanding’. The Trust was rated at 'Outstanding by the CQC in June 2018, and again in January 2022.

Leading in Research
The Trust was awarded university status in April 2007 in recognition of our extensive research and education work. We now have an international research profile thanks to our collaboration with Queen Mary’s, University of London, as The Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry. It was named a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre in 2012, recognising our commitment to mental health services development and health gain for patients through active research.

We also have a partnership with Cambridge University with a jointly appointed assistant professor for our primary care research hub, and a similar partnership with City, University of London.

Expanding our Services

Community Health Services in Newham joined ELFT in 2011, followed by Community Health Services in Tower Hamlets.
 

In 2015, we joined with mental health services in Luton and Bedfordshire to share expertise and knowledge. So it is our tenth year of working together. Bedfordshire Community Health Services subsequently joined the Trust.

The Trust now operates from over 135 community and inpatient sites and has 900 general and specialist inpatient beds. We employ over 7500 permanent staff.

We will mark these Jubilees throughout the year and reflect on the changes which have taken place during this time.