Nearly a year after work was due to begin for Braintree's new £5.3million community hospital, there is still no official start date.

Concerned about delays - Phyllis Webb, chairman of the Braintree Pensioners' Action Group, and Eve Reid. Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON (46524-2)

The ambitious plans to build a community hospital on the old St Michael's Hospital site in Rayne Road was due to begin in January.

Pensioners and patient watchdogs have voiced their concerns about the delay and vowed to keep a close eye on the proposals over the coming months.

Health chiefs at Witham, Braintree and Halstead Primary Care Trust have assured the public that there is no change in its commitment to build the hospital, but the plans are closely related to the expansion of Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford.

Braintree and District Pensioners' Action Group chairman, 76-year-old Phyllis Webb, said: "It's in limbo land. It should have started earlier this year but it's not off the ground at all.

"This is desperately needed in Braintree."

PCT Chief Executive Dr Paul Zollinger-Read said: "I would like to reassure the public that there has not been any change in commitment.

"Following the sign-off of the Broomfield proposals, which is imminent, we can and will, take our final business case to the health authority.

"The funding for this proposal has been identified in our three-year plan."

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Published Wednesday, November 30, 2005

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