MP to raise concerns about hospital with Health Secretary

Colchester MP Sir Bob Russell says he plans to raise growing concerns about the quality of care being provided by the town's hospital with the Health Secretary.

Earlier this week, Colchester General Hospital declared a major incident after the Care Quality Commission raised safeguarding concerns following an inspection.

The hospital says it is facing unprecedented demand on its services.

On Friday, the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) urged people not to go to the town's accident and emergency department unless they were in a serious or life-threatening condition.

Sir Bob said he had every faith in the hospital's front line medical staff and said the problems must lie with resources and management.

The MP said he would be speaking to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt "within the next 48 hours".