HOSPITALS sit within the heart of communities, providing lifesaving care.

The staff are, for the most part, wonderful, dedicated people who do a difficult job at the best of times but have been particularly under the cosh of late.

Southend Hospital’s problems are well documented, with staff shortages and a bed crisis weighing heavily on it. It is with reluctance we add to criticisms of the way the hospital is run.

However, news that the hospital faces a £17.6million deficit by the end of this year, despite spending £688,000 on consultants to advise it how to save money, must leave the most impartial observer fearing problems are Southend Hospital is not alone in struggling to balance the books, but no one seems to have an answer to persistent problems, such as staff shortages and overuse of A&E, despite these issues worsening for years.

Belatedly, NHS England launched its strangely-titled Essex Success Regime. The programme will take some years to fully implement and for its effects to be felt. It might prove the answer to the problems, but could end up making things worse.

The NHS groans with management staff. Is it too much to ask they could get together and find a solution to such deep-seated problems before it is too late to save our wonderful hospitals?