HEALTH bosses moved to dispel fears some of the regions A&Es are set to close.

Clinicians at Broomfield, Southend and Basildon hospitals said changes to urgent and emergency care in mid and south Essex will not lead to the closure of local A&E departments.

The assurances came as the Health Service Journal revealed one in six A&E departments face being closed or downgraded in the next four years, including Southend Hospital.

The Mid and South Essex Success Regime plans to downgrade two of the region’s A&Es and have one specialist emergency care centre, most likely at Basildon.

However, in a statement released yesterday clinicians said the plans will not lead to the closure of local A&E departments.

Speaking on behalf of the three trusts, Dr Ronan Fenton, joint medical director for the success regime said: “Under the proposals the clinical teams have developed there would continue to be an A&E in all three hospitals for the majority of patients in mid and south Essex.

“These are not just simple minor injuries units but have the back up of a frailty unit, a children’s unit and a surgical assessment unit, to manage and care for the majority of health issues that people come to A&E for.”

Dr Fenton added: “However for the most serious and life-threatening cases, national evidence tells us that we could save more lives with a specialist emergency hospital. We already see this with the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre in Basildon.

“Specialists can work with the ambulance team to ensure a safe transfer to hospital and be ready and waiting at the door to fast track the patient for treatment.”