Every year brings new challenges - there are more patients to treat and new ways in which to treat them. Over time the priorities of local people will change and national priorities evolve. Our own priorities develop as a result of these factors and our aspirations to provide better care for our patients.

There are minimum requirements that are expected of every NHS organisation. We need to provide a safe environment for our patients by making sure we keep to a minimum the risk of infections such as MRSA and clostridium difficile. We need to meet all of the targets the government has set for the NHS, such as being treated in A&E within four hours, treatment for cancer within two months from referral and being treated for routine conditions within 18 weeks from referral. We also need to remain a financially viable organisation that makes a surplus so that we can fund future developments.

However, we are not satisfied just to meet the minimum requirements. The patients of Bradford’s hospitals demand better services. We want to be a successful group of hospitals in which patients can see they are getting good healthcare in modern, clean buildings from friendly expert professionals. We will be able to demonstrate to patients and the wider clinical community that we provide excellent care. The research we do will be highly regarded by our peers nationally and internationally. The technology we use will be fit for purpose and user friendly. We will demonstrate that we value our working relationships with our staff, members and partners.

In setting our strategy we are making commitments in six areas:

• The best quality and safety of care resulting in outstanding patient satisfaction
• Modern, fit for purpose facilities and equipment
• More care closer to patient's homes
• The right staff, with the right training, in the right place at the right time
• A specialist centre for West Yorkshire
• A nationally recognised centre of excellence for education and applied health research

We believe through these commitments we will deliver better medicine and better health for you, the people of Bradford and beyond. Our mission is to provide the best quality safe healthcare to the people of Bradford and West Yorkshire. We will secure major advances for future generations through innovation, education and research. In partnership with others we will work to improve the health of local people.