HOSPITAL debt will soar to more than £200million if changes are not made to the way services are delivered, according to a health boss.

The revelation was made at a meeting about the Success Regime, which would see Southend, Basildon and mid-Essex hospitals work together in a bid to save money.

The £200million deficit will be racked up by the hospitals by 2019 if swift action isn’t taken, regime director Andy Vowles told the meeting.

The project – one of three being tested across the country in areas where hospitals and GP surgeries are struggling – will see services merge between the three hospitals and five clinical commissioning groups.

The Success Regime conference, hosted by Healthwatch Essex and the Essex County Council Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, was organised in an attempt to find a way to involve patients in the plans.

Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of Healthwatch Essex, said: “We were established to ensure the voice of those people who use health and care services are heard by the decision-makers.

“The Success Regime must capture the views of people to help shape how they meet the needs of patients, carers and service users.

“We work hard to capture the ‘lived experience’ of people – what people actually find when they visit a GP, hospital, care home etc.”

The meeting was also attended by representatives from patient engagement groups, health commissioners and providers, and the community and voluntary sector.

Councillor Jill Reeves, chairman of the council's health committee, said, “We have to see the Success Regime as an opportunity to deliver improved and consistent clinical care for all and the HOSC wants to help ensure that, despite the financial pressures on the NHS, there is meaningful engagement with the public.”

Last month, Essex area director for NHS England, Andrew Pike, the man heading up the changes, explained to the Echo how he will find £214million of savings to prevent the deficit by 2019.

He said he hoped there would be minimal job losses and less reliance on expensive agency and temporary staff.

He also reassured patients that all three hospitals, along with their accident and emergency departments, would stay.

Clare Panniker, chief executive of Basildon Hospital, is leading a joint committee looking into a possible merger.