Hospitals in south Essex will get “significant” investment as a consultation on plans to reshape care in the region continues.

In the wake of this year’s budget plans, it has been announced that Southend, Basildon and Chelmsford hospitals are to receive additional funding totalling £90 million.

Heralded as “the most significant investment into mid and south Essex for almost a decade”, Southend will receive the largest portion with £41 million.

Basildon will receive £30 million and Broomfield, in Chelmsford, will receive £19 million.

Clare Panniker, Chief Executive of the hospitals said: “This could represent the most significant investment into mid and south Essex for almost a decade and we are delighted.

“This is an important step in the work we have been doing to develop proposals to secure and improve the care we provide for our population in the future.

“It will help us to improve the quality of the facilities in which we care for patients, helping to bring clinical areas up to modern standards.

“It is exciting news but does not mean the decision on services has been made. There is still a lot of work to do.”

MP for Rochford and Southend East James Duddridge urged residents to not get distracted and to take part in the consultation.

The Tory MP was out campaigning with Southend Councillor James Moyies who described the announcement as “great news for the town”.

Mr Duddridge added: “This additional investment demonstrates the conservative commitment to the National Health Service.

“The job is not done and I encourage all my constituents to participate in the public consultation. It will give them an opportunity to ensure that the service is reflective of the needs of the constituency.”

Basildon Council’s chairman of the Infrastructure, Growth and Development Committee, Linda Allport-Hodge, said it was “great news” for the region.

She added: “I hope this money will alleviate our residents’ fears in terms of the delivery of our frontline services.”

But some health campaigners from the area are not as optimistic about what it could mean.

Dave Murray, a member of the Basildon and Thurrock Trade Union Council, described the amount as “a band aid for a bullet hole” and is sceptical it will save the NHS.

The 54-year-old from Laindon added: “It needs to be taken in the context of earlier cuts that have been announced.

"Any extra cash for our hospitals is great but not if it’s to facilitate the dismantling of services so they can move closer to the American-style system of privatisation.”

Find out more about the plans and how to have your say on page 16 of today's Echo.