Who we are and what we do
Croydon is a trailblazer in integration to join-up the health and care services available for local people and breakdown barriers between professional teams to make the most of our workforce and expertise.
Despite its relatively small size, the Trust makes a big impact. Croydon has led the way in the country’s COVID-19 recovery, opening a ‘hospital within a hospital’ to safely care for patients needing planned surgery and procedures. Croydon was one of the first NHS trusts to return to more than 100% of pre-lockdown levels to tackle the COVID backlogs. The Trust was also one of the first to receive and administer the COVID-19 vaccine in the biggest-ever immunisation rollout in the NHS.
We run two hospitals, to care for Croydon residents north and south of the borough. Our dedicated community services also cover every corner of the borough, including specialist home treatment for children with cancer and adults with long-term conditions.
Our main campus, Croydon University Hospital, is home to the borough’s only Emergency Department and often receives more ambulances than many major trauma centres. The hospital provides more than 100 specialist services, including 24/7 maternity care. An ongoing investment programme is also transforming the facilities available, with a dedicated new children’s unit and multi-million pound intensive care unit opening in 2023.
Our sibling hospital, Purley War Memorial Hospital (PWMH) in south Croydon provides outpatient care and diagnostic services and will soon house one of 50 new surgical hubs across the country. The expanded Purley Elective Centre (PEC) will include new operating theatres, short-stay wards and diagnostic services for low complexity procedures, to help reduce waits for patients and free-up the Trust’s main surgical theatres in the Croydon Elective Centre (CEC) at Croydon University Hospital to undertake more complex procedures.
We also provide health services to some of the most vulnerable in our community, including asylum seekers and people experiencing homelessness.
The Trust has one of the most diverse workforce profiles in the capital, with more than half of its staff from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic groups – almost twice the national average – reflecting the diverse communities it cares for. At the same time, we are increasing our role as an anchor intuition at the heart of the local community. As the borough’s largest employer, this includes supporting local business through kick-starters and apprenticeships to increase employment, and working with local universities to train the next generation of health and care workers in Croydon.
As part of the ‘One Croydon Alliance,’ we are closing the gaps between services for local people by working together to provide more holistic care for patients, keep people well and create opportunities for staff.
The NHS in Croydon is part of the Integrated Care System in South West London, working together to build a more resilient workforce, reduce variations in care and deliver better value for money.