Tempers flared as hospital staff and local people confronted Health bosses at a public meeting over ward closures.

The outcry came at a packed meeting called by local watchdog the Community Health Council, at St John's Hospital, Chelmsford, on Thursday night..

More than 100 staff and residents urged health chiefs to reconsider the impact of cost-cutting plans to close three wards at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, and to temporarily shut wards at community hospitals St Peter's in Maldon and St Michael's in Braintree.

It is part of Mid Essex Hospital NHS Trust plan to save £1.8 million by placing "bed blockers" in the community hospitals. Once they are discharged the community hospital wards may close temporarily.

There was also concern last night that there are long-term plans to move St John's Hospital on to the Broomfield site in Chelmsford, in order to save more cash.

Following presentations from a panel that included Chief Executive of the Trust, Chris Minett and Nigel Beverley, Chief Executive of North Essex Health Authority, members of the public claimed there had been no consultation about plans to close wards and it seemed despite the meeting being held it was a decision that had already been made.

Cathy Trevaldwyn, of Old Moulsham said: "It seems to me, despite these consultations and promises of a consultation period that your decisions have been made and that the public is being presented with a fait accomplit."

Members of staff, represented by Colin Richards, angrily demanded the NHS Trust should be "banging on Frank Dobson's door for money."

Mr Minett defended the decision, saying the crux of the situation was that it was not good practice for all involved to have people who do not need to be in hospital occupying beds.

He said: "This is a way we can save money and solve what has always been a huge problem for us."

But residents feared the elderly, who represent a large percentage of so called "bed blockers" will end up in residential homes far away from family and friends.

Andrew Bruns, of Moulsham Lodge, said : "My mother has lived in Chelmsford all her life, she had all five of her children in this very hospital and when she became ill she was farmed out to Braintree - a woman who has always lived in Chelmsford."

As well as plans to close the wards and move patients who have completed their care out to community hospitals, it was revealed that a business plan outlining how St John's hospital could move to the Broomfield site, is being drawn up.

But it is not clear what would happen to the Wood Street site should the move go ahead.

Chairman of the CHC, John Kotz, said it would now be meeting behind closed doors to discuss what stance they would be taking on the matter.

MP for Chelmsford West, Simon Burns, insisted: "Chelmsford does not want closures. Let's hope the CHC reflects the views of the people of Chelmsford and rejects these closures."

Staff and Unison officials vowed to fight on, asking members of the public to sign a petition as they left the meeting.

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