District leaders say they will be seeking assurances that tough action is being taken to resolve the problems at Colchester Hospital, during a meeting with the scandal-hit trust’s chief executive.

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust was placed into special measures last week following a damning care quality commission report which revealed staff working had been “pressured or bullied” into changing data relating to cancer patients and treatment

Now a meeting is being arranged with the chief executive of the Turner Road trust, Gordon Coutts and representatives of Tendring District Council.

Officials from the authority have said they are determined to find out what is being done to rectify issues at the site.

District council leader, Peter Halliday, said: “We need to understand what is happening for the sake of our residents and all those who depend and rely on these vital hospital services at Colchester.

“People’s trust has been affected by what has come out over the past week or so and we need some assurances that the issues are being tackled robustly and that the people of Tendring can have faith in these services.”

Lynda McWilliams, the district council’s cabinet member for health and community services, said: “Following the meetings Mr Coutts offered to come to Tendring’s Cabinet – along with the five elected Tendring members – to discuss the situation.”

“It is a very difficult time for all those involved with the hospitals but it is vital that patients carry on going to their appointments as normal.”

The trust was placed into special measures by health sector regulator, Monitor, with officials saying they stepped in so the health and wellbeing of patients using the cancer pathway at the hospital could be “assured”

Bosses at the hospital have already admitted the problems highlighted by the CQC report have “extremely concerned” staff and that they would do everything they could to improve.

Dr Coutts stressed action has already taken place in light of the report, which has included contacting the patients concerned and meeting them, bringing in external experts and agreeing a review of its cancer pathways.

The situation at the trust will also be discussed by the council’s health and wellbeing board.

The East Anglian Daily Time attempted to contact the hospital regarding the meeting, but nobody was available to comment.