MP James Cleverly has vowed to fight to keep Halstead Community Hospital open.

Fears have been raised about the hospital's future since its ward was closed by health bosses in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic.

Its facilities were transferred to Braintree Community Hospital.

In March 2021, Provide, which runs the hospital, introduced ‘virtual wards’.

It meant patients were sent straight home from the secondary care hospital, instead of spending time at Halstead Hospital.

The Halstead Hospital League of Friends has voiced concerns over the hospital's future.

Halstead MP Mr Cleverly has now pledged his support for the hospital, vowing to fight to keep it open.

He said he recently visited the hospital to “seek assurances” about the hospital’s future.

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Mr Cleverly said: "In April I met with the League of Friends and had a tour of Halstead Community Hospital to look at the facilities.

"I agreed to meet with Provide, and raise the hospital with the Department for Health and Social Care, and with the clinical commissioning groups."

Provide told the MP using 'virtual' wards and rehabilitating more patients at home had been a success.

Mr Cleverly said: “Despite the hybrid working model and its success, I stressed that it is vitally important that Halstead Community Hospital retains its beds in order that following the upcoming public consultation it can once again offer intermediate care.

"Provide do recognise the quality of the facility at Halstead.

“Halstead Community Hospital is a wonderful medical asset and I want to ensure that it is efficiently used to its maximum potential.

"The work of the League of Friends has been unwavering and has not gone unnoticed.

“I will continue to push for the bedded ward and other facilities at Halstead Community Hospital to remain open and return to being efficiently used.

“I shall, of course, remain in touch with Provide regarding the use and timescales with the associated public consultation in respect of this excellent facility.”