NHS bosses say new surgical wards and expanded emergency care are among major healthcare improvements coming to three Essex hospitals.

Details of how £118 million will be invested across Broomfield, Basildon and Southend hospitals have been revealed as the hospitals merge services.

Broomfield Hospital, in Chelmsford, will have its critical and emergency care departments expanded, while two new inpatient wards will be also be delivered as part of the merger.

At Southend Hospital, the funds will see a purpose-built elective surgical care block with two wards, emergency care expansion, new operating theatres, a new paediatric assessment unit and a refurbished ophthalmology unit.

Basildon Hospital will get a new endoscopy suite, an emergency care and critical care expansion, a new renal ward, new operating theatres and an onsite helipad.

The merger of the three hospitals, now called the Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership, was approved by the Health Secretary last year.