CAMPAIGNERS want Southend Council to challenge “every aspect” of the proposed shake-up by referring it all to the Health Secretary.

Southend councillors want ministers to scrutinise controversial proposals to centralise stroke services at Basildon Hospital.

The move is aimed at protecting Southend Hospital’s stroke services.

However, campaigners are urging the council to challenge the whole plan to shake up hospital services proposed by the Mid and South Essex Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP).

The plans are based around a treat and transfer model which mean patients would be stabilised at their nearest hospital before being transported to one of the area’s three hospitals for specialist treatment.

Mike Fieldhouse, secretary of Save Southend NHS, said: “The STP’s plans must be referred back to the Secretary of State - not only on stroke reconfiguration but also on all the other concerns they have failed to provide answers to.

“We are relying on our councillors now to do what we elected them to do and defend our health services.”

In a letter to senior hospital managers, Tom Abell, the chief transformation officer and deputy chief executive of the hospitals, expressed his disappointment at the council’s stance. He said: “It is particularly disappointing given how much work has been undertaken by clinicians to develop and agree a bespoke model for stroke care, and the engagement with them both before, during and after the consultation.”

In response, Southend Council said it did consider sending the shake-up in its entirety to the Secretary of State but found the risks, including the cost, impact of patient services during the uncertainty and added delay, would outweigh the benefit.