 This came after a number of proposals from the Mid and South Essex Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) regarding reconfiguring services provided in the area.In October 2018 the plan was referred by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.On 31 July 2019 the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care endorsed the merger and a provisional date of 1 April 2020 was agreed.