NHS services could be cut because healthcare providers spent £3 million too much last year - and have to find £14 million of savings this year.

The board for the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group will today be told about the £3 million overspend but it is claimed measures are in place to make up the difference this year.

However, the group then has to find another £14million year-on-year savings.

Last year, the CCG scrapped free IVF, vasectomies and female sterilisation and reduced access to gluten free produce and denied some surgery to smokers and those overweight.

All this was done to save £1 million with the group needing to find £22million.

It now needs to find £14million but it is not yet clear whether other treatments, or which treatments, will be cut this year.

Funding bids for new and improved GP surgeries will also be submitted next month.

A £1billion Primary Care Transformation Fund will open for applications on Thursday.

A report is being presented to those in charge of healthcare in the region, the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, today.

It states: "The CCG are waiting to submit a bid. One bid will be for a primary care hub in Clacton."

The town is suffering from a chronic shortage of doctors. The fund is designed to improve the size, quality and technology at surgeries.

CCGs are being invited to submit bids by June 30.