More chance to have your say on changes to NHS community based health services

Residents now have an extra two weeks to respond to a public consultation on the future locations of community-based health services in mid and south Essex. NHS Mid and South Essex has extended the consultation on proposed changed to community hospitals until April 4 2024 to allow more people to give their views. Extending the consultation will allow decision makers to gain more insight and feedback to the proposals. The consultation will help the local NHS understand  views on the proposals to:

• potential changes to the places where we provide some community hospital intermediate care and stroke rehabilitation services, in particular services provided at the Cumberledge Intermediate Care Centre in Rochford and Brentwood Community Hospital.
• making permanent the temporary move of the freestanding midwife-led birthing unit from St Peter’s Hospital to, Maldon to the William Julien Courtauld Unit at St Michael’s, Braintree.
• the possibility of moving all other patient services at St Peter’s Hospital, Maldon to other locations, ideally in and around the Maldon district.

Changes are being considered to help increase the number of beds available in the community to support people who need specialist stroke rehabilitation and provide a good environment for modern health services.

Almost 3,000 people have already completed the online survey since the consultation launched on January 24, and many others have fedback through a range of opportunities to get involved.

Carolyne Dawson, Stroke Matron in mid and south Essex said: “Providing feedback  helps us understand how any changes made could affect you, your family, your loved ones, or someone who you are caring for. Your views will help make sure that we can provide the right care and support for residents in mid and south Essex.

“We need to think about how we can best serve our growing population now, and in the future.  We are committed to working with local people to develop our plans and make sure key services remain local.”

Clinicians involved in developing the proposals believe the changes will provide the right number of beds to support an increase in demand and population and address the challenges of provided modern health care in old buildings.   It is important that anyone impacted by these changes, including those who might rely on extra assistance or rehabilitation to regain their independence after a spell in hospital, shares their views. Ways people can get involved:

• Visiting a dedicated consultation webpage and completing a survey
• Tuning in our YouTube page @MSEssex_ICS on 19 March where a public consultation hearing will be live streamed.
• Joining a session being run by a voluntary sector organisation. These sessions are for people that might find it difficult to attend one of the other public events, and/or for people that need extra support to understand the proposals and share their views.
• Talking to us through our social media channels.
• Emailing us at: mseics.getinvolved@nhs.net
• Phoning us at: 01268 594350
• Writing to us at: FAO: Community Capacity Consultation NHS Mid and South Essex ICB, PO Box 6483, Basildon, SS14 0UG

All responses and feedback will be analysed and reported by an independent organisation and a report published that consider the proposals. The ICB plans to consider the proposals in the context of all the feedback received from the public, organisations and staff over the summer of 2024.