A new £56million centre at Southend Hospital could open four years early - because of a pioneering funding scheme.

But union bosses fear the centre could turn into a private hospital carrying out contract work for the NHS.

Consultation documents say the Diagnostic and Treatment Centre could be paid for with a mixture of private and public funds - making it one of the first of its kind in the county and creating new jobs.

The new scheme means the centre would be open in 2006 - four years earlier than if funded through the usual private finance initiative.

Nick Bradley, regional officer for public service union, Unison, said: "It seems to us there is a real danger it will be virtually a private hospital which is carrying out NHS work."

The new centre would take outpatients and day-stay work from the main hospital which will concentrate on emergency, high dependency services.

The consultation paper, circulated to hospital staff, said it was proposed the centre would be a joint venture between the NHS and the private sector.

Under the proposal:

The private partner would provide the capital to develop the facility

The land would be owned by the NHS

Staff would be a mixture of NHS personnel and staff provided by the private sector with a very clear assumption that continuity of employment would be maintained for NHS staff.

David Brakenbury, Southend Hospital's chief executive said: "It is part of the hospital's plans to have a centre off site but we don't expect there to be sufficient public finance for the project which could cost in excess of £50million.

"As a consequence we may consider private finance to help us with building and also with staffing but only where we have insufficient staff."

Published Friday, January 3, 2003

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