Chelmsford's MP has spoken in the Commons about the winter pressures facing Broomfield Hospital.

Sir Simon Burns also praised staff at the hospital for the "fantastic job" they are doing and voiced his "strong support" for the changes to A&E proposed by the Success Regime.

His speech came as Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt suggested four-hour A&E treatment targets should only apply to the sickest patients as the NHS battles to cope with rising demand.

Sir Simon said: "My own hospital, Broomfield hospital in Chelmsford, is doing a fantastic job, in difficult circumstances, to provide the best possible care and in more difficult times.

"We have to look at what we can do to move forward in a positive - not a partisan, politicised - way to make sure our constituents get the best treatments possible."

He defended the Government's funding record, claiming that over a five-year period an extra £10billion has been ploughed into the NHS, but said that "money should not just be thrown at an issue".

He added: "A far bigger part of the equation is building on the performance, standards and quality of care the health service will provide to our constituents."

Sir Simon moved on to discuss the Success Regime's controversial proposals to overhaul A&E services at Broomfield, Basildon and Southend hospitals. He criticised those who had "politicised [the issue] for grubby political reasons" and said the plans would not see Broomfield's department closed or downgraded.

He said: "What will happen is building on what happens now. If someone has a heart attack, they are taken immediately to Basildon Hospital, because that is the specialist for cardiothoracic treatment.

"If someone needs burns treatment or plastic surgery, they come to Broomfield, because it has one of the finest units in the whole of Europe.

"That is what is happening and that is going to be built on, enhanced and improved."