Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans she has for funding for heath facilities in Essex in each of the next five years.

The Government has set out its long-term approach to National Health Service infrastructure investment through the 10 Year Capital Plan for Health and Social Care. Details of capital allocations and individual schemes are published on the GOV.UK website as funding decisions are made.

In Essex, we have already announced significant investment in NHS facilities. This includes £6 million over two years to refurbish and improve the emergency department at Basildon Hospital, doubling rapid assessment, triage, and treatment capacity from three to eight bays to improve patient flow and reduce delays. Over the next four years, the Estates Safety Fund will also provide funding for essential repairs across Essex, including over £8 million for Princess Alexandra Hospital and over £4.6 million across Basildon, Broomfield and Southend hospitals.

In addition, new community-based mental health centres will be developed in Clacton-on-Sea and at Thurrock Community Hospital, providing earlier local support and specialist crisis care outside accident and emergency.