THE body behind radical plans to shake up A&E services in Essex is assessing which patients will be transported to a specialist centre for treatment.

The Mid and South Essex Success Regime wants to downgrade two of the region’s three hospitals and create a specialist emergency centre at the remaining hospital.

Basildon Hospital is highlighted as the best option for the specialist centre, leaving Southend and Broomfield hospitals treating less seriously ill patients.

Only Basildon would have a 24-hour blue light service. Campaigners against the move, include some doctors, fear lives will be lost if patients have to undergo long journeys through traffic jams.

But the regime is seeking to reassure people the final details of the new system will be carefully examined.

Dr Ronan Fenton, medical director for the Mid and South Essex Success Regime said: “The questions we are exploring as a clinical body include what specialist services could be safely consolidated in a way that would improve patient care and outcomes?

“What would be the best way to access these services? When is it better to treat and transfer from a local A&E, and when is it better to transport patients directly to the specialist team?”

Dr Felton added: “These discussions will continue as we move forward in developing our case for change which will then form the basis of our future public consultation.

“Over the coming weeks there will also continue to be further opportunities for service users and local people to get involved in developing proposals before, during and after the public consultation.”

Clare Panniker, chief executive of the three hospitals, said: “Our senior clinicians have the full backing of the three hospital trusts to develop further the proposals to ensure that we will save more lives in the future and provide better care for patients. That is our number one priority.”

Clinical Commissioning Groups have formed a joint committee to take the project forward during its consultation with local medics.

Hospital working groups continue to develop detailed clinical blueprints.