Plans to transform hospital care in parts of Essex

Services will be shared between Basildon, Broomfield and Southend. Credit: ITV News Anglia

There are plans to merge the trusts that run three of Essex's main hospitals and share services between Basildon, Broomfield and Southend.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock rejected calls for the plans to be axed claiming the expert advice was to go ahead.

The plans which will begin this Autumn include....

  • Consolidation of emergency vascular surgery at Basildon Hospital from both Broomfield and Southend Hospitals.

  • Transfer of spinal surgery from Basildon Hospital to Southend Hospital

  • Offering patients at Basildon and Southend hospitals waiting for a hip or knee operation the option of being treated at Braintree Community Hospital.

  • Emergency out-of-hours interventional radiology services to be consolidated at a hub based at Basildon Hospital.

Broomfield Hospital. Credit: ITV News Anglia

Bosses say the plans will improve care and outcomes for over 1.2 million people who live in mid and south Essex and will help achieve national service standards.