DOCTORS’ surgeries could become mini hospitals under radical plans to transform local health services.

The Mid and South Essex Success Regime has published its sustainability and transformation plan a five-year plan to prevent a £407million deficit by 2020/21 and to alleviate the pressure on hospitals.

A far greater range of health care will be provided for patients at their local surgeries, with GPs spending longer with them in a more holistic approach.

In future, a range of health professionals, including mental health and social workers, will be attached to surgeries and will work in collaboration, with access to patients’ records.

The regime says this will “support the whole person rather than looking at each single problem separately”.

The new service will focus on the need for selfcare and health education, along with prevention and early treatment.

Surgeries will be expected to provide a range of services, including help with skin problems, stroke recovery, pain control and various scans and tests, and specialists from hospitals will visit local health centres.

Dr Ronan Fenton, medical director of the Mid and South Essex Success Regime, said: “The whole package we have announced does focus on helping people stay healthier longer.

“It does focus on wrapping care around people outside of the hospital in a manner that is not just provided by GPs but involves the mental health, social care, community and primary health care.

“It does involve spotting groups of the population who are at risk in the community and dealing with that in a community setting, utilising techno - logical advances that are available to us now.”

This greater use of modern technology will include using the internet to run “virtual clinics” and to provide more care in patients’ homes.

Dr Fenton added: “It is possible now to use apps to communicate directly with health professionals from your home.”

It is hoped this rounded approach will mean fewer people going to A&E at Broomfield, Basildon and Southend hospitals.