HEALTH chiefs say Colchester General Hospital will struggle to cope if 30,000 homes are built in north Essex.

Two new towns are planned, to the east and west of Colchester, which could eventually create tens of thousands of new patients for the Turner Road hospital.

The ambitious plans are in bid to meet Government housing targets in the coming years.

Colchester General Hospital chief executive Nick Hulme has lodged a “formal concern” with Colchester Council on the plans.

As a result, a crunch meeting has been called between health and council representatives.

In his letter, Mr Hulme projects the schemes could create about 78,000 extra patients for the hospital.

He writes: "This... will have a direct impact on hospital services for Colchester."

Mr Hulme also states for each 1 per cent growth in population, the hospital would expect to see a £1m increase in capital costs - which could rise to £31 million by 2033 - and £1.58 million running costs - which could rise to £48.7 million by 2033.

He adds: "No provision for these cost pressures is made at this time."

The chief executive also writes "The impact of growth in surrounding areas - outside Colchester Borough - which form the catchment population of the hospital is not accounted for."

At the moment, the hospital serves 380,000 people.

Colchester Council strategy manager Karen Syrett, told the authority’s local plan meeting on Wednesday there has been correspondence with Mr Hulme and a meeting is due to be held on Monday.

It is expected to include representatives not just from the hospital and the council but also the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group and the East of England Ambulance Service Trust.

Mrs Syrett said: “We have had correspondence from the chief executive [of Colchester General Hospital].

“There are various elements to the NHS and different elements are saying different things.

“There is a meeting on Monday to a comprehensive picture of what is required.”

The new town, west of Colchester, dubbed West Tey, could bring up to 24,000 homes while the settlement on the Colchester/Tendring border could deliver up to 9,000 homes.

Speaking at a meeting of the Colchester and Ipswich hospitals’ boards, Mr Hulme complained: “There seems to be an assumption the hospital will be able to cope."