THE CHIEF Executive of the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAHT), Thom Lafferty is definitely a man with a plan.

Now, approaching two years in post it is clear that he and his team and have a road map laying out the route to better health care for the people of Harlow and beyond.

Already, we have seen the plan for better facilities at PAH in Harlow; in Epping (the Community Diagnostic Centre) in Bishops Stortford, taking shape.

The Blood Centre in the Harvey Centre seems to be great success.

We have also been told that great inroads have been made into cutting the deficit at the trust.

But for all the soft people skills and affability, we definitely sense there is also a harder edge, don’t suffer fools philosophy.

In many ways, Thom Lafferty is doing for Harlow health what council leader, Dan Swords is doing for regeneration.

Trouble is, when we published the story that Marks and Spencer was coming to Harlow, our website had 250 comments praising the council.

When we published the story on waiting lists at PAH, we get 250 comments criticising the hospital.

We guess there must be a requirement to have tough skin.

But we happen to think that it is vital for everyone to support Thom and his vision.

That doesn’t mean us all being cheerleaders. We will always remain a critical friend but we do feel that we should appreciate that we have a leader with a plan here.

Here is our interview with Thom Lafferty.