HOSPITAL chief executive John Gilham stressed the plan to cut staff is still in draft form and details are yet to be finalised.

He said in a statement: “As a trust we recognise NHS South East Essex has less funding, as do all NHS organisations in the current economic climate.

“In the coming years, we fully expect to be working differently, particularly as the trust moves to provide more services in the community.

“Naturally our staff will be affected, but the trust’s principal approach is to manage this through natural turnover and redeployment.

“Southend Hospital has a duty to work with NHS South East Essex to achieve positive changes in care for all our patients. The trust will support NHS South East Essex in its ambitions.”

Mr Gilham said Dr Tony O’Brien, one of the hospital’s lead consultants, will spend several months during the summer working to find out how to provide better care in the community for more elderly patients.

He added the plan also aimed to improve patient experience for people with learning difficulties, as well as patient discharge and waiting times overall.

However, refurbishment of the outpatient department is still planned for later this year.