A state-of-the-art intensive care centre is being set up so sick and premature babies can receive potentially life-saving treatment in Essex
Seriously-ill newborn babies are currently transferred to specialist units in London or Cambridge.
NHS bosses last night unveiled plans to build the county's first intensive care unit for babies at Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital.
The £1m centre will be able to treat babies born more than three months early or severely underweight.
Some needing highly-specialist heart treatment or surgery would still be moved to Addenbrooke's, Cambridge, or Great Ormond Street, London.
Broomfield was chosen by a team of health experts because it is the most central for worried families.
Expectant mums will continue to have their babies at hospitals near to their homes.
But sick babies needing specialist care will be sent to the purpose-built centre at Broomfield part of the hospitals £120m redevelopment programme.
Published Thursday August 26, 2004
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