PLANS for major new health centres throughout south-west Essex have been put on hold.

The future of the large clinics in Wickford, Laindon and Grays were put in fresh doubt as NHS South West Essex announced it was aiming to make cuts of more than £52million.

Interim chief executive Andrew Pike said the trust would be considering if its ambitious plans to build clinics and community hospitals in the three locations would be feasible.

He said a committee of the trust had between now and December to look at the schemes.

It will also be scrutinising services at facilities in Billericay, Thurrock and at Brentwood Community Hospital.

Mr Pike said: “We must get some answers. We also have to look at Billericay, Thurrock and Brentwood.

“Are they fit for purpose? Are they the right size? And are they affordable? This has to be a review we undertake.”

The Wickford centre formed an independent part of Basildon Council’s masterplan for the town, which was put on hold by the council earlier this year after it had problems securing a developer.

It would cost £16.8million, including a minor injuries clinic, same-day minor surgery, an outpatient clinic, X-ray department and therapy rooms.

Plans for the centre came after a trust report said facilities at Wickford Health Centre were cramped, outdated and in poor condition.

Malcolm Buckley, Tory councillor for Wickford Castledon, said he and other councillors would try to discuss the plans with the trust in a bid to secure the new facilities.

Mr Buckley, who is also responsible for environment on Basildon Council, said: “I would be very disappointed if the conclusion would be not to proceed with the plans.

“There’s clearly a big need for healthcare in Wickford.

“All public bodies are facing challenges to their budgets, but these are primarily challenges to their revenue, not to their capital investment.”