Consultation opens on future of mid and south Essex hospitals

Among the changes put forward by the joint committee of the five Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are plans to use Braintree Community Hospital for orthopaedic operations for Mid Essex patients in a bid to cut waiting times across Essex.

Changes are also proposed at Broomfield, Southend and Basildon hospitals, however the committee has insisted all three hospital’s A&E departments will be open 24-hours a day and take “blue light” ambulances.

New “assessment and treatment centres” would be set up alongside these A&E departments.

Dr Caroline Dollery, GP and chair of Mid Essex CCG, said: “The public consultation is an important next stage in the work we have been doing together to develop and build a health and care system fit for the future for the people of mid and south Essex and provide them with a further opportunity to give us their views to help shape the proposals.

“This is not a final decision to implement any of the changes described, which would only happen after the consultation with our local communities has finished and the feedback independently analysed.”

Capital funding may be used to open a new specialist stroke centre, providing care in the first 72 hours after a stroke. Proposals state all three existing stroke care units would remain in place.

Some inpatient services may be brought under one roof, however it is not clear what this would include.

Dr Celia Skinner, chief medical officer for the three hospitals, said: “These proposals set out our ambition to reorganise services across our hospital sites in Basildon, Chelmsford, Southend and Orsett so that we are working together to deliver the best services we can, using our people and resources as effectively as possible for the greatest benefit.”

Feedback from the consultation will be independently reviewed before being considered by the committee in summer next year.

To comment on proposals or view the details, visit: www.nhsmidandsouthessex.co.uk.