AN emergency motion was called by Tendring councillors to discuss Colchester’s hospital crisis.

Colchester General Hospital was forced to declare a major incident two weeks ago when its accident and emergency department reached breaking point.

Bosses urged patients not to visit the department unless absolutely necessary.

The hospital was already in special measures after failing to meet performance targets.

Concerned councillor Neil Stock raised the hospital crisis as an urgent agenda item at Tendring’s full council meeting on Tuesday.

Mr Stock said: “I want us to address the fears and concerns that our 150,000 residents in Tendring have about the hospital.

“Thousands of residents in Tendring are affected by this just as much as residents in Colchester."

Mr Stock urged the council to contact Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health, to demand an urgent update on the situation.

He also wants Government assurances that everything possible is being done to help the hospital, as well as a copy of the improvement plan, a timeline and an understanding of the consequences if deadlines are not met.

The motion was supported unanimously and passed by the council.

Councillors were quick to praise the performance of the doctors and nursing staff in Colchester despite the crisis.