Basildon Hospital unveiled plans for a multi million pound state-of-the art new wing.

The development would create eight new wards containing more than 200 beds in total.

If it gets planning approval from Basildon Council, the two-storey building would be linked to existing in-patient wards and cover an area of 20,000 square feet.

Basildon and Thurrock General Hospitals NHS Trust said it was the latest phase in centralising in-patient services on a single site.

Government funding for the project was secured by the trust last year. Orsett Hospital will eventually only deal with out-patients having minor operations which do not require overnight stays.

An existing minor injuries unit will remain, but land which the Orsett bed wards occupy will eventually be sold off, most probably to a housing developer.

Money from the sale of this land will not be spent on the Basildon development.

A spokesman for the trust, said: "There will be a substantial amount spent on this Basildon building and we are certainly talking seven digit figures.

"Nothing will close at Orsett until these new wards at Basildon are up and running.

"We are very hopeful we will get planning permission because it is part of Basildon Hospital's programme towards becoming the centre of excellence that it is well on the way to achieving."

Some of the Orsett staff will be required to transfer to Basildon along with the 200-plus beds which are also effectively moving sites.

The new block would surround two courtyards and extra car parking would be provided with an existing road on the hospital site extended to allow access.

Two new operating theatres would be built within the existing ward block.

Trust Chief Executive. Sue Jennings, said: "This new development will allow us to concentrate inpatient facilities at Basildon Hospital, where overnight stay patients will benefit from the back-up of high dependency and intensive care facilities.

"This strategy is supported by the views of the medical professions, who advise centralisation of high quality, comprehensive services on a single site."

Earlier this year a £400,000 modernisation scheme was announced for the Accident and Emergency department.

If planning permission is granted, the trust hopes to begin work on the new block next year.

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