Hospital bosses have confirmed it is "unlikely" post-natal care at a maternity unit will start again before Christmas.

Mid-Essex Hospitals Trust said low-risk deliveries will still be run from the William Julien Courtauld Hospital in London Road, Braintree.

The unit reopened on November 24 after it had been closed completely for nearly a month as a result of long-term sickness throughout hospitals in the Mid-Essex area.

Only recently the Trust said post-natal care would not be back at the unit until staffing levels are back to normal and at a safe premium. The situation is being reviewed regularly.

Published Thursday December 18, 2003

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