Serious concerns have been raised on the viability of plans to transform Essex health services.

The NHS Mid and South Essex Sustainability and Transformation Partnership is currently consulting on changes which will radically alter the way emergency care is currently delivered and will in future, overhaul the way primary health care is delivered.

These include plans to have specialist centres in Southend, Basildon and Broomfield Hospitals.

It is proposed Basildon will have a hyper acute stroke unit and a specialist emergency centre to treat the most serious cases.

Southend and Broomfield will retain their stroke centres and A&Es under the plans.

However, a report to Southend Council’s cabinet by Lesley Salter, councillor responsible for health, demands answers on the wisdom of having the hyper acute stroke unit at Basildon given the expertise we have in Southend. It says the rationale“is unclear and poorly documented in the consultation document”.

Health bosses also want to provide more primary health care in GP surgeries and health centres to lessen the strain on A&E.

The report questions whether the financial backing is in place to deliver the ambitious plans.

Ms Salter says the proposals for investment for more primary care in the community are “weak” and there are concerns over the viability of the changes if the “appropriate investment from both a revenue and capital perspective” are not received.

The report notes and agreement in principle between Southend Council and Southend Clinical Commissioning group that the council will financially support the development of St Luke’s and Shoebury’s Health Centres and “confirms the council’s willingness to fund health centre buildings”.

Proposals include providing transport for patients and their relatives if they are transferred to hospitals out of their home towns but Ms Salter says hospital transport and transfers proposals are “are unclear and poorly defined”.

She adds: “It is recommended that Southend Council cannot support the STP proposals until further work which identifies a detailed proposal re transport and transfers is published and consulted on”.

There are also fears over the “unclear” way patients will be discharged into the community after spells in hospital with significant concerns over the impact on Southend adult social care.

Dr Anita Donley, independent chairman of the Mid and South Essex Sustainability and Transformation Partnership said; “The consultation is an opportunity to hear views and feedback on the specific proposals around hospital services and it is right and proper the council debates its response as a significant partner in this.

“The council has had an important role within the STP in the formulation of these proposals during the two year design and refinement period prior to the consultation, including discussions at Health and Wellbeing boards and People Scrutiny committees over this time.

“This continues alongside the formation of a joint health overview and scrutiny committee with partners in Essex County Council and Thurrock Council to respond formally to the consultation proposals.”

Councillors will decide whether to formally raise these concerns at special cabinet meeting on Monday.