ORSETT Hospital's minor injuries unit (MIU) is to be closed with the service moved to Thurrock Community Hospital in Grays.

After two days of hiatus following questions from Thurrock Nub News yesterday and after what appears to be a lengthy box-ticking exercise by NHS top brass, an announcement was made late this afternoon (Thursday, 13 August).

Following yesterday's exclusive Nub News report that the operators of the Orsett site, the Mid and South Essex Hospital's Trust, is considering the future of the complex because of serious health and safety concerns, Orsett Hospital's long-term future seems bleak.

Long-held expectations from residents that the land will be sold off for housing now seem closer to reality than ever.

Moving the MIU to the community hospital site on Long Lane in Grays, where it will operate alongside the newly built diagnostic centre, is bound to raise concerns about overcrowding on the site and parking problems. Around 77 patients a day are treated at the Orsett MIU, most of whom arrive by car.

Thurrock MP Jen Craft raised her concerns about the parking at Grays in a Nub News article yesterday.

This afternoon' statement from the Essex Integrated Care Board, which is the strata of NHS hierarchy that sits above the hospitals trust in the NHS East of England pyramid, says: "NHS Essex plans to move Minor Injuries Unit to Thurrock Community Hospital as part of big urgent care investment to improve local urgent care for patients in Thurrock and the surrounding area.

"These plans would see the existing Minor Injuries Unit – run by North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) at Orsett Hospital – transfer to more modern facilities at Thurrock Community Hospital, where it will be located alongside the Community Diagnostic Centre to help more people get faster diagnosis and treatment, supported by £1m of additional external funding.

"The plans are still being finalised and will be subject to further engagement and further decision-making alongside partners in the coming months.

Samantha Goldberg, Executive Director of Commissioning Acute and Adult Mental Health Services at NHS Essex said: "These plans would be a positive step for people in Thurrock, creating the opportunity to provide even more urgent care locally in the future.

"People across Essex have told us that faster diagnosis and treatment should be a top priority. Moving the service to Thurrock Community Hospital, alongside the Community Diagnostic Centre, would help bring more care, tests and treatment together in one place.

"As part of our five-year plan for the NHS in Essex, we also want to build on this by developing a future Urgent Treatment Centre, able to care for more people with a wider range of urgent health needs and helping reduce avoidable pressure on local emergency departments."

NHS Essex is working with partners to ensure adequate parking, access and signage. Alongside this, the NHS will continue to work closely with Healthwatch Thurrock and local communities to ensure patients' experiences and needs inform the future development of urgent care services.

FACTFILE:-

• The Minor Injuries Unit is commissioned by NHS Essex and provided by North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT).
• It currently operates from Orsett Hospital and sees an average of around 77 patients each day.
• If approved, these plans would be implemented in two phases:
• Phase one is the relocation of the existing Minor Injuries Unit to Thurrock Community Hospital, currently planned for winter 2026. The existing service and capacity will be maintained as part of the move.
• Phase two is the proposed development of the service into an Urgent Treatment Centre, expanding provision from minor injuries to include minor illnesses. The timetable and detailed model are still being developed.
• Thurrock Community Hospital is also home to the Community Diagnostic Centre.
• NHS Essex says it has secured additional capital funding to support the relocation.
• NHS Essex commissions services but does not own or operate either hospital site or employ the staff that deliver services. Thurrock Community Hospital is owned by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), while Orsett Community Hospital is operated by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT).
• Staff impacted by any changes will be consulted by their employer, as required.
• NHS Essex will be engaging further with local Health and Wellbeing Boards and Health, Overview and Scrutiny committees as plans progress.

About NHS Essex

· NHS Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is responsible for deciding how the NHS budget for the county is spent.

· It is also responsible for developing a plan to improve people's health, deliver higher quality care and achieve better value for money.

· The NHS Essex purpose is explained as: to make services better in Essex, improve the health of our population and secure sustainable NHS services for the future.

· Find out more about the ICB's responsibilities on the NHS Essex website