COLCHESTER'S MP has said it is now down to the Government to rescue the town's troubled hospital trust.

Will Quince believes the only way to ensure Colchester General Hospital improves is for the Department for Health to give it more cash and support.

The call comes after the trust which runs the hospital braces itself for the outcome of another probe by watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in January.

The trust has also been in special measures by health sector regulator Monitor for two years following allegations it falsified the appointment and treatment times of cancer patients of which it was later cleared.

Mr Quince, who earlier this week praised the trust for the bereavement support it gave to his family, admitted he was "extremely worried" about the hospital.

"I get the strong impression the scope of the problem is too big to tackle on their own.

"Without the Department for Health we are going to be out on our own.

"We need them to step in to intervene and give full support."

Mr Quince has written to Health Minister Ben Gummer, urging him to raise his concerns with health secretary Jeremy Hunt and department colleagues.

Speaking about the "package of measures" felt the Government could deliver to the hospital, Mr Quince added: "I am not a clinician or an expert in board management so I don't know what that looks like.

"It be money, it could be top level support, it could be mentoring.

"We need the Department of Health to do a full analysis and give them the tools to pull the hospital out of special measures."

Mr Quince stressed he did not want the Government to undermine trust chief executive Frank Sims or chairman Alan Rose but for them to be supported.

"They understand what we need to do to turn the hospital around but they can't do it, just them with the staff at the hospital. They need that support.

"I would like to stay quiet and let the chief executive and chairman go on for another six months but I fear in another six months we would be having this conversation again."

He also defended the suggestion his call for intervention could damage staff morale but admitted it could make him unpopular.

"It is not particularly palatable to hear. Sometimes you have to admit you need a bit of help.

"Sadly there are some areas where people come away with unacceptable care."

The Tory said the CQC's latest inspection of the hospital in September and it not being part of the Success Regime contributed to his fears for its efforts to improve.

Essex is one of three new Success Regimes being introduced by NHS England and health regulators and sees a number of bodies work together to address the financial position of the NHS and staff shortages.

Mr Quince said he is still to receive a formal response from fellow Tory Mr Gummer, but added: "Ben completely understands. He worries about it too, he agrees something needs to be done."

A spokesman for Colchester Hospital University NHS Trust said: “We would like to thank Mr Quince for his consistent support of our Trust and staff.

“As part of being in special measures, we are already receiving significant extra support to address concerns about the quality of care for patients.

“In addition, we are enthusiastic about stepping up collaboration with partner organisations in health and social care and creating a long-term plan for the Trust to provide outstanding services for all patients on a consistent basis.”