The NHS will be making “a huge mistake” if it gets rid of one of its north Norfolk centres, the leader of the council has said.

Tim Adams, leader of North Norfolk District Council (NNDC), has expressed his concern about the uncertain future of the NHS-owned Benjamin Court, in Cromer - the former home of a reablement service, which closed in June this year.

Mr Adams joined more than 100 people who attended a public meeting on Friday (August 25) to raise their concerns about Benjamin Court with a panel of health leaders from the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Norfolk County Council (NCC) adult social services.

READ MORE: 'Save Our Service': Campaign to reopen Cromer's axed hospital aftercare centre

North Norfolk News: Benjamin Court, CromerBenjamin Court, Cromer (Image: Colin Finch)

Benjamin Court used to provide care beds for people well enough to be discharged from hospital but not well enough to return home – but closed after a decision was made by NCC, which ran the service, to offer similar aftercare at people’s homes instead.

“It really concerns me not to have the provision in Cromer, and that the NHS has no plans for the building," Mr Adams said.

"I think they will be making a huge mistake if they get rid of it.

“For many patients the home is the right place - but for many it’s not. In many cases I think there could be unmet care needs.

“North Norfolk has seen some of the highest levels of unmet care needs in the past. It just goes to show how desperately this is needed.

“There will always be patients who need a more concentrated package of healthcare.”

North Norfolk News: More than 100 residents attended the meetingMore than 100 residents attended the meeting (Image: Duncan Baker)

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NCC has said concentrating on care in the home would allow an extra 1,500 people to be cared for in 2023.

The meeting was called by North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker, who said: “I don’t want Benjamin Court sold off, redeveloped or lost when we need rural health services.

North Norfolk News: North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker, who called the meetingNorth Norfolk MP Duncan Baker, who called the meeting (Image: Newsquest)

“I have written publicly to the NHS team responsible to make sure under no circumstances do we lose the building.

“Why can’t it be used for stroke care or dementia services, both we are crying out for in North Norfolk?”