The NHS in Mid & South Essex has plans to change the way community hospital beds are used. If you live in Southend, this could affect where some of your care is provided.
At the moment, the Cumberlege Intermediate Care Centre (CICC) at Rochford Hospital provides rehabilitation services for people who have had a stroke. It also provides intermediate care for other residents who don't need to be in Southend Hospital, but do need some nursing and rehabilitation before going home. People normally stay in CICC for around six weeks.
Under the plans from the Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board, CICC will only provide stroke rehabilitation or intermediate care. This means that if you can't be admitted there, you would be admitted to Brentwood Community Hospital. The NHS believes that just providing stroke rehabilitation or intermediate care in one community hospital provides the best care, and also helps recruit and retain staff.
It is really important that local people let the NHS know how they feel about these changes. A public meeting has been arranged for 15 February 2024 at 5pm in The Forum, Elmer Ave, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1NS. There is also an on-line event planned for 15 February 2024, if you cannot get to the The Forum.
Changes to St Peter's Hospital in Maldon are also being considered, but these will have little or no effect on Southend residents.
You can read more about the plans on the Integrated Care Board's website, with hard copies available in Southend's libraries. Click on this button to take you to the website:
Tell us what you think! Call us on (01702) 416320 or email us at info@healthwatchsouthend.co.uk.