BLOOD tests from south Essex could be screened at Basildon Hospital rather than travelling 90 miles to Bedford.

The Echo understands that the four south Essex Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and preferred contractor Consolidated Pathology Services (CPS) may be close to agreeing for blood screening to happen at Basildon for all non urgent tests.

While Southend Hospital may be the centre for microbiology tests for urine and stool samples.

Discussions between the parties continue and no contracts have yet been signed. Any changes will not come in until April 2014.

The Echo has been campaigning to keep the service local and 16,869 people, doctors and consultants backed us.

Our supporters have given the latest news a cautious thumbs up.

Anne Chalk, independent councillor for Shoebury who collected hundreds of petitions on our behalf, said: “It’s a partial victory for the campaign. It’s better than it going to Bedford but CPS and private firm Serco are still involved as they would be sub contracting it back to us.

“Its very worrying with Serco involved as their interest is financial more than anything else.

“At least its less time to travel to Basildon and the personal contact between GPs and Southend hospital already exists.”

A senior pathologist at Southend Hospital was unaware of the latest development but said; “It would work for blood sciences to go to Basildon - ok it would take an extra 30 minutes for samples to get there from Southend area, but this is ten times better than sending samples to Bedford.”

Keen supporter of the campaign John Gibson, who founded the Aset Trust (corr) which funds medical equipment at Southend Hospital including at the laboratories, warned it would only be satisfactory if Basildon had the same hi-tech equipment that Southend lab has to the tune of £2million.

He said: ”This is better than taking it 90 miles away but I worry if Basildon has the same cutting edge equipment as Southend especially as its been subject to such severe financial constraints.

“Communication is already quick with Basildon so it makes sense.”

Alan Crystall, Leigh ward councillor, said: “If this is true it’s disappointing. To some extent it’s a much better solution than previous but I’d be concerned about a loss of income for Southend Hospital.

“It would save money across the region but the success of this also hinges on the IT and communication system being fully linked up.”