Broome Parish Council has been represented on the steering committee that has been trying to ensure local views are taken into account when the future of the main hospital site is decided.

The group hasn’t met for more than three months for a number of reasons, including a reorganisation of the local national health service organisations that are responsible for arranging the provision of health care. The members of the committee have also been very strictly controlled by confidentiality conditions as to the amount of information that can be made public.

It can however now be disclosed that a health provider has been in discussions with the All Hallows Health Care Trust about utilising the hospital site and that these discussions are at an advanced stage. A public announcement is now likely shortly as is an agreement on a lease. The provider is planning to make a considerable financial investment in the site.