HEALTH bosses have formed a ‘super surgery’ which will cater for up to 50,000 patients in a bid to future proof healthcare in Colchester.

The move is part of a bid to cut the number of people going to Colchester General Hospital’s accident and emergency department unnecessarily and will see more medical experts based in centres across the town.

It is understood the scheme will focus on keeping people with chronic illnesses, such as COPD, asthma and diabetes out of the hospital’s emergency department.

In an ambitious move, the Creffield Medical Centre, based off Circular Road North, is set to join with the North Hill Medical Group and Layer Road Surgery to created the new group.

All three are already recognised as a single legal entity having been involved in setting up a 12-surgery strong Colchester and Tendring alliance (COLTE).

Ann Read, chief officer for COLTE and who is also manager for Creffield Medical Group, said: “We are proposing that the way services are currently delivered will transform in to hubs covering at least a patient population size of around 20,000 to 50,000 – these will deliver primary care services from a number of practices working together.

“A range of integrated services and clinical experts will be based at each of these ‘hubs’ making it easier for patients to access a range of services and saving them unnecessary and inappropriate visits to A&E.

“As well as ease of access to services, we need to ensure we can cater for the expected increased demand from local patients.”

The move is part of the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group’s drive to reduce the number of people attending the under pressure A&E.

Last month, the commissioners opted to keep minor injuries units open in Colchester, Clacton and Harwich and said they hoped to provide a higher level of care closer to home so patients would be less likely to need acute hospital care.

The Colchester and Tendring Alliance is comprised of 12 practices including in Walton, Wivenhoe, Rowhedge and Brightlingsea and cares for 120,000 patients.

All staff previously employed in the surgeries are now employees of COLTE.