Union officials have requested a meeting with the Health secretary to discuss plans to close wards at Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital.

Chelmsford Trades Union Council (CTUC) has written to the Secretary of State for Health, Frank Dobson, asking him for an urgent meeting after hearing the first of the wards is soon to be closed.

It is hoped he will meet with representatives from the CTUC, Unison and other unions representing workers at the hospital, and will be urged to step in to prevent the closures.

The shock decision earlier this summer by Mid-Essex Hospitals NHS Trust to close the wards in order to claw back £1.75 million in debts, led to angry protests from patients and staff.

More than 100 people attended a public meeting held by the health watchdog Community Health Council (CHC) last month.

A watchdog spokesman said: "Patients and their families must be given full information about the range of services that will be available to support them in the community, and who to contact should these services not be provided."

As a result of the meeting the local CHC, based in Chelmsford, decided to oppose the plans to close the wards.

Almost 7,000 people have signed a petition and a march setting off from the Rainsford Road entrance of Admirals Park at 10am on September 4 will be followed by a rally at 12pm in Central Park.

Andy Slade, Unison branch secretary, said the CHC's opposition to the ward closure was a "major step forward".

"Everyone clearly recognises the folly of the Trust's proposals and I urge the Secretary of State to overturn its devastating decision," added Mr Slade.

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