Drastic measures have been taken in a desperate bid to clear the backlog of hospital operations.

Nurses are being offered a higher wage and overtime to try and wipe out waiting lists at Broomfield Hospital, in Chelmsford.

A spokeswoman for Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust said another ward at the town's St John's Hospital was being opened up to cut the length of time people are waiting for operations.

She said: "In fact, the planned new initiative means that nearly 500 extra operations will be carried out over the next few months."

From the start of next month, Broomfield Hospital's day surgery unit will be open seven days a week so more operations can be carried out at weekends for 12 weeks.

The spokeswoman said: "The Trust is grateful to the experienced nursing staff who will be covering the additional shifts and confirms they will receive an agreed special hourly overtime rate."

The special rate is believed to be time and a half.

She added: "This works out more cost effective than employing agency staff who can be less knowledgable about the hospital, but who are more expensive."

St John's Hospital in Chelmsford will be carrying out 360 extra general surgery and orthopedic operations.

Andy Slade, of Unison, said the problem worsened when 32 beds were taken away from Broomfield Hospital last year.

"It will not make a great deal of difference in the long term unless they re-open the closed wards. I have to say the Trust has got itself into this mess."

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