Preparations are under way to close Braintree's much-loved St Michael's hospital.

Some patients at Rayne Road are already being moved from beds in one of the upstairs wards to ground floor wards before they all close at the beginning of November.

The three wards containing 48 beds are to close as part of plans to upgrade healthcare in the district with a new community hospital, to open in 2004.

Witham, Braintree and Halstead Primary Care Group (PCG) wants to build a 30-bed hospital on the St Michael's site, next to the existing day hospital, and operate a homecare service for a further 30 beds.

This would involve 24-hour nursing care, particularly for older people and include a specialist GP, physiotherapy and occupational therapy staff, healthcare support workers, rehabilitation assistants and social workers.

As the wards close, patients from Chelmsford will be transferred to St John's Hospital in Chelmsford, while Braintree patients will be accommodated at William Julien Courtauld Hospital.

The closure is timed to coincide with the launch of the homecare service, when new staff have been trained.

John Summers, PCG development manager, said: "Things are really progressing very well. Everyone is on board, recruitment is going really well."

Part of the St Michael's building will remain, including the day hospital for outpatients and the hospice.

The PCG will take their plans to the North Essex Health Authority on October 17 for approval. It also plans to hold a public meeting in Braintree to explain what is happening.

By Robbie Looker

Reporter's e-mail: robbie_looker@thisisessex.co.uk

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