COUNCILLORS discovered people could face a four-hour journey to see their loved ones in hospital, after getting an employee to carry out dummy runs.

A proposed “treat and transfer” scheme could see stroke patients and other casualties assessed locally before being taken to Basildon for specialist stroke or other emergency care, if it was required.

It would mean relatives, many elderly, travelling miles to visit in-patients and for those without cars it would be especially arduous. Faced with a lack of detail on the scheme, a council employee was asked to undertake the journey to gauge how long it could take.

Councillors discovered the return journey by public transport would take more than four hours during off-peak times.

The investigation was launched after councillors repeatedly requested information on how relatives would be able to visit loved ones, miles away from home. The council said it still had not received adequate answers.

In its referral of STP plans to the secretary of state, the council said: “To help assure the council a brief study and practical pilot was conducted during 2017.

“A member of staff was asked to make a number of return journeys using public transport from both Southend Central bus station to Basildon Hospital and from Shoebury town centre to Basildon Hospital.

“The journeys took place mid-morning and mid-afternoon. On both occasions each return journey took in excess of four hours.”

The council said it recognised the complexity of developing a transport plan, which would also include getting patients back home following discharge.

However, it said: “When challenged, the evidence to support the plans and the detailed information required to ensure the implementation was not available. In subsequent private and public meetings since January 2018 the required information has still not been made available.”

It added: “For patients to be discharged efficiently a consistent repatriation process needs to be in place."