A TOP doctor fears health services in Essex will face more cuts once NHS regulators take control of the county’s hospitals and other services.

Dr Mark Porter, chairman of the British Medical Association, fears the “unprecedented move”

to bring in regulators to oversee hospitals, the ambulance service, GPs and social care could lead to big spending cuts.

Essex is one areas chosen by NHS England to be part of a “success regime”, with a single director overseeing all its services.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has admitted he wants the NHS to find £22billion in efficiency savings, nationally by 2020. Senior Essex health managers have welcomed the plan, but Dr Porter fears it could be signal wholesale cuts.

He said the government’s “expensive and unnecessary”

reorganisation had diverted attention from real problems facing the NHS. He added: “The need for this sort of dramatic intervention is likely to increase if the Government continues to pursue its drive for yet more ‘efficiencies’, instead of properly addressing inadequate NHS funding in the face of rising demand.”

Health watchdog Monitor, which will work alongside NHS England in running the county’s health services, has admitted it is being brought in to “fix” the county’s NHS.

Spokesman Justine Moat, said: “The first step is a diagnosis, in order to develop a strategy.

We will look at the underlying issues, then draw up a plan.

“Until that happens, we can’t be specific, but the important thing is this will be in conjunction with local health providers and stakeholders.”

Councillor Barbara Rice, who is in charge of adult social care and health at Thurrock Council, said: “There are two important things that must also be realised.

Essex is not a one-size-fits-all area and it is really important areas such as Thurrock are properly represented and properly listened to.

“Equally, this must not be seen as an NHS-only issue or solution. Cuts to Adult Social Care budgets are putting increasing pressure on the NHS and on our own services, too. It is a never-ending and merciless circle – cuts to adult care impact on the health service and then increased pressure on hospitals and GPs leads to more demand on adult care.

“It is imperative local public health and adult social care representatives are fully involved in the process.”