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Basildon University Hospital: Accident and Emergency Departments

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 26 January 2026UIN 102604

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the expansion of a) Urgent Treatment Centres and b) Same Day Emergency Care facilities on accident and emergency waiting times at Basildon Hospital.

Answered by Karin Smyth

The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is exploring the development of an Urgent Treatment Centre within the Basildon and Thurrock area. The aim is to provide additional capacity for minor urgent health problems, ensuring that resources are targeted appropriately and that emergency care remains available for the most acutely unwell patients.

Integrated care boards are best placed to take decisions on the provision of urgent and emergency care services and are therefore responsible for commissioning services to meet the needs of their local communities and population.

Our Urgent and Emergency Care Plan for 2025/26 sets out clear actions to deliver improvements this winter and make services better every day. We are aiming for 78% of patients to be seen in in four hours this year, meaning over 800,000 people will receive more timely care. We are investing £250 million into expanding same day and urgent care services, helping avoid unnecessary admissions to hospital and supporting faster diagnosis, treatment and discharge for patients.

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