Building work on a £30million satellite hospital centre in Southend could start as early as this summer, it was revealed today.

Anglo Canadian Clinics, a consortium of four English and Canadian companies, will work to develop the new diagnostic and treatment centre at Fossetts Farm, off Eastern Avenue, it was revealed.

After work is completed, a modernisation programme could get under way at the main Southend Hospital site in Prittlewell Chase including the demolition of some of the old buildings.

Director of facilities at the hospital Paul Kingsmore said: "This is the route we are taking and it looks promising at this stage.

"This is a great development and will help us meet the national targets we have been set."

The cost of the centre will be paid for by the company and would then claw part of the costs back from the NHS.

Mr Kingsmore said: "That capital is difficult to come by.

"This presents an opportunity for us in Southend to have a new facility, purpose built and pay for the services we provide over time."

Once the five-year contract is up the hospital can either decide to renew it, find an alternative contractor or take on the building itself.

Published Tuesday January 13, 2004

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