Hospital to go ahead

8:53am Wednesday 14th May 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

BRAINTREE'S community hospital is to finally go ahead.

The outline business case passed the final hurdle on Monday after the East of England Strategic Health Authority gave its seal of approval, subject to minor conditions.

Bosses at the Mid Essex Primary Care Trust, which submitted the plans, hope to seal the financial deal with contractors within the next few weeks and start building work by July.

Chief executive Sheila Bremner said talks are ongoing for an independent sector treatment centre at the site.

Hospital campaigner Phyllis Webb said: "Seven years it's been coming, it's great news it's going to come through and they are going to have all the facilities we need."

The PCT is also considering submitting a planning application to keep the existing day hospital, which would have to be demolished under the original planning permission.