SOUTHEND Hospital wants to create a specialised centre for planned operations.

As part of the trust's five year plan, which takes it through to 2020, bosses will look into the option of building a separate elective care centre.

It could be based in the grounds of the hospital, in Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff, or replace a disused community building.

Currently, all pre-planned surgery takes place in operating theatres and areas which are spread out across the hospital site.

Bosses claim it would be more efficient if all scheduled operations take place under one roof.

Jan China, director of estates and facilities at Southend Hospital, said: “An elective centre would centralise the current service but as yet the concept is not fully developed, although it is supported by our surgical and orthopaedic directorates.

“They have been utilising current areas in the hospital to develop parts of this model of care, for example with the creation of an elective admissions lounge.

“Centralising the elective outpatient and pre-admission clinics, with elective beds and theatres in one area, would make the service more efficient. The exact size has yet to be finalised as this work is in the very early planning stages.”

Back in 2005, the hospital bought 15 acres of land at Fossetts Farm for £2.4million.

It was meant to be used for an outpatient treatment centre and day surgery, but plans never materialised.

A covenant restricting the land for just health purposes runs out in December.

In Southend Hospital’s estates strategy, finance bosses claim selling off the land could generate millions for the trust, which is around £14million in deficit.

However, Ms China said the elective surgery centre will not be built on the site as the 15 acre plot is too big.

She added: "We are currently looking at all of our options regarding the Fossetts Farm land.”