A UNION says it was kept in the dark about a proposed merger of three Essex hospitals and is yet to assess its impact on staff.

Unison says it wasn’t informed about the merger of Southend, Basildon and Broomfield hospitals until shortly before the plan was announced.

Last week the three hospital boards agreed to the formation of one trust to oversee the three hospitals, just two days after it was proposed.

Under the Mid Essex Sustainablity and Transformation Plan, the three trusts have been working closely to establish specialist areas at each of the three hospitals.

Unison regional spokesman Sam Older said: “We need to know what the proposals are. Until we know the details we won’t know what it means in terms of jobs.

“We were told about it before it was announced but only just before. They are planning to merge in April 2019 but it’s something they haven’t shared with Unison.”

Mr Older added: “The NHS is struggling to recruit staff. If they merge the three employers it may be some some accounting work could be brought together but the majority of staff will remain in their posts doing their jobs. We believe nurses and porters will be doing the same jobs. We haven’t been told anything different, but we need to see the details.”

The hospital trusts have, in the past, denied plans to merge and there has been no public consultation.

Clare Panniker, the trusts’ chief executive, said: “Working together formally in the longer term is crucial to help us in deliver and secure safe and high-quality services across all three of our hospitals.

“This about ensuring together we can make the most of the resources, the skills and the expertise we have available us. The decision is just the start of the process. We are committed to demonstrating how this gives something better for patients in mid and south Essex and there will be lots of opportunity going forward to engage more fully with local people.”