A CAMPAIGN for a new hospital for Southend is due to be launched as part of the ambitious Southend 2050 plan.

Southend Council wants to launch a bid starting in 2020.

Details of the plan have emerged after it was added to the council’s five-year “roadmap” which is an integral part of their long-term vision for the future of the borough – known as Southend 2050.

The document will be discussed at a meeting of Southend Council today.

The healthcare plan is to have a new, acute hospital offering short term care to people in recovery.

The idea was first suggested earlier this year when a controversial shake-up of healthcare was being discussed.

Southend Council claimed a new and modern facility was required to meet the needs of residents in the future.

Cathy Gritzner, interim accountable officer for the Southend Clinical Commissioning Group, said they are working with the council on their 2050 vision but did not confirm if a new hospital was a realistic proposal.

She said “With an ageing population and changing models of care, our ability to transform health care to a more flexible model of delivery is going to be key to keeping up with demand.

“As local NHS commissioners, we are in close conversation with the local authority and wider partners on how we design services that will be fit for the future, meets the needs of the population and is affordable.

“We want to make sure services work together as part of the wider community to support local residents and those that care for them, to help people before the point of crisis.

“Across south east Essex, this journey has already begun with the key providers of health and care, and those who fund the services, working together with a shared purpose to create new models of care to make sure people get the support they need to live well.

“A big focus is on bringing together all resources in the community in a more joined up way with a focus on prevention, linking services, keeping people well and in their own homes and in their communities, supporting the strengths of communities and individuals, reducing avoidable and distressing trips to hospital.”