It is ten years since the newly-built Braintree Community Hospital opened its doors to the public, although I had been living with the project for the previous two years having been a member of the Planning Group involving local health officials and GPs.

Since then, the hospital has provided a range of services to an increasingly wider public with high levels of satisfaction and with different organisations managing it- most recently Mid Essex Hospitals Trust.

At last year’s Annual General Meeting of the friends I regretfully had to report on concerns which the trustees of the friends had about the way the hospital was being managed. In a period of great turbulence within the NHS it becomes even more important for the public to ask questions, some which may be difficult and to get objective answers. That is the purpose of public meetings.

Well now there is another chance to seek those answers when the Annual General Meeting of the friends of Braintree Community Hospital takes place on Tuesday at 7.30pm at Braintree Baptist Church. Anyone and everyone is invited to attend, and it is important that the Friends get your backing as they seek answers to questions. Agendas will be available on the night, or beforehand from the hospital shop.

After the formal part of the meeting, there will be refreshments and then a presentation about BEARS (BASICS Essex Accident Rescue Service). So do come along and give us your support and ask questions.

Emeritus Professor Chris Green OBE

Chair, Friends of Braintree Community Hospital