Update March
The deadline for consultation responses to be received has been extended by two weeks to 6th April
Update 16th February
Brentwood Consultation meeting now arranged by Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board at Brentwood Community Hospital on 1st March from 10-12noon in the Board Room.
Representatives from the ICB and clinicians will be available to meet with local residents to discuss the proposals for the hospital.
7th February
A consultation is being carried out by the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Service about the way in which Brentwood Community Hospital will be used in the future.
I have written warmly about the work being done at the hospital to support my older and more frail constituents who need intermediate care between being discharged from one of the acute hospitals – usually Queen’s in Romford or Basildon Hospital for this area – and going home. Currently patients who have experienced strokes, infections, sepsis or fractures are able to spend a short time in Brentwood Community Hospital before being declared fit enough to go home.
Having spoken to a number of healthcare professionals, there is no doubt this intermediate care, in a setting when elderly spouses, family and friends can visit easily, boosts a patient’s confidence after a stay in hospital and they can get home safely and successfully.
The consultation by the Mid and South Essex ICS is offering two options for Brentwood – and if you want to read about it in the consultation document, the options are on page 42. Option A is to turn Brentwood Community Hospital into a stroke centre for patients across Mid and South Essex, so those using the service could find themselves receiving care miles from their homes in Chelmsford, Basildon or Southend. There would be no intermediate care beds in Brentwood, so those who need that post-infection or post-fracture care, would be sent to Thurrock or Rochford.
Option B is to retain the 25 Intermediate Care (IMC) beds, and open 25 beds for post-stroke patients. This is my favoured option, because it enables us to keep those IMC beds in Brentwood for local people, while also offering new care options for stroke patients.
Brentwood Community Hospital was original built, with the help of significant local fund-raising, for the care of local people. It is the only NHS hospital in my constituency, and provides outstanding care for my constituents when they need some extra support to get home.
I would encourage you to take part in the consultation, which is open until 21st March. You can find the details on my website or via the Mid and South Essex ICS website here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/MSECommunityConsultation2024/
