THE public is backing a planned NHS revamp in Essex, health bosses have claimed.

An independent report looking at responses to the Your Care in the Best Place consultation has now been published.

The report on the Mid and South Essex Sustainability and Transformation Partnership plans, which include specialist A&E units in three hospitals, claims the public is in “broad agreement with the overall principles in the consultation”.

The report by consultation analysts, The Campaign Company, provides a breakdown of responses to the proposals for Southend, Basildon and Broomfield hospitals.

The hospitals will retain their 24/7 A&Es. Specialist services set to be concentrated in one place include a specialist emergency unit, stroke and cancer centres.

However, the report does highlight concerns over transport and accessibility of services, staff shortages and financial concerns.

Following an extensive pre-consultation engagement period over two years, the consultation took place between November 30, 2017 and March 23, 2018. It is estimated more than 4,000 people took part.

Professor Mike Bewick, independent chair of the joint committee of the five clinical commissioning groups in mid and south Essex, said: “It is clear from the volume and the quality of the responses we received that people across mid and south Essex gave the issues very serious thought. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the process.”

The joint committee will review the findings of the outcome report as part of its decision making process in the summer.

Implementation of any changes agreed could then begin in the autumn of 2018 and would take place over a number of years.