THURROCK'S leading councillor for adult care says he welcomes a move to bring patients back to the borough from a post operative centre in Brentwood.

Thurrock Nub News has reported on public disquiet locally - and concerns from staff who have acted as whistle blowers - at the way the Mayfield ward at Thurrock Community Hospital has been closed and patients instead treated for post operative care in what have been described as squalid conditions on a ward in Brentwood.

The move prompted condemation of the Mid and South Essex Hospitals Trust. The Trust said the move was necessary because of the coronavirus situation, but at the same time it had also earmarked a new role for the ward as a stroke recovery centre for Basildon Hospital patients.

However, at last night's (Thursday, 3 September) meeting of Thurrock Council's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee members were told the decision is to be reversed and the ward, which was refurbished a couple of years ago by the council so that post operative treatment would be available in Thurrock specifically for local residents, will be reopened.

That has been welcomed by Cllr James Halden, portfolio holder for adult care, who acknowledged that public disquiet and lobbying behind closed doors had played a part.

He said: "Mayfield will now be restored. We understand the need for the move during the pandemic, but this is now the right move to return services to Thurrock.

"This has been good partnership working between NELFT, the STP and the council over the last two weeks – I wanted to say more sooner, but these things are best dealt with in a professional manner.

"Clearly, winter will bring real issues, however in my mind we need to look to services like the extra care beds we have made in Oak House, opposed to consolidating services out of Thurrock – winter pressure is routine for social care, and we need to refocus on this as a day job i.e. Thurrock services for Thurrock people in Thurrock."

Cllr Halden's reference to Oak House - which is another building in the borough currently standing empty, follows more public concern.

Oak House, on Corringham Road in Stanford-le-Hope, used to be a care home operated by Christian Care Homes but that closed. The building has since been leased by Thurrock Council, but has stood empty.

It is expected the 13 bed home will now quickly be brought back into use to care for dementia sufferers.