Colchester General Hospital could be in "direct competition" with a new private hospital.
Essex Rivers Healthcare Trust chief executive Peter Murphy revealed the Government has earmarked an independent treatment centre for Essex - and there is no shortage of bidders.
Mr Murphy said: "Independent treatment centres are nothing new. Other counties have them. The idea is that they provide extra choice for patients and improve our efficiency through competition."
At least four private health companies are expected to put in bids to open the centre.
"We don't know where it would be based. The only criteria at the moment are it has to be somewhere in Essex and must be in direct competition with the county's five existing acute hospitals," he explained.
"It is a big issue for us - and it is a big issue for the other NHS hospitals in Essex."
It could be back to the drawing board for the Trust's redevelopment project for Colchester General Hospital thanks to new health reforms.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Thursday, February 9, 2006
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