A wave of opposition to the closure of a hospital aftercare service in Cromer has led to a petition with more than 3,700 signatures being handed over.
Members of the Save Benjamin Court campaign met representatives from the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) to voice their strong support for the centre - which was closed in June - to be reopened.
Martin Booth, campaign spokesman, said the numbers on the petition “spoke for themselves”.
Mr Booth said: “There is a really powerful local movement growing to save and reopen Benjamin Court, and the signs are that the decision-makers are having to take notice.
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“We welcome their intention to engage with the community about future use, but we do not want Benjamin Court to be sitting empty when it could be opened up to care for those who are stuck in hospital because they don't have the necessary support to go home.”
Mary Russell presented the petition to the ICB’s chairwoman, Patricia Hewitt, during the meeting at the North Norfolk District Council office in Holt Road, Cromer.
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The board's chief executive, Tracey Bleakley, said in a report: “We are planning a programme of engagement to discuss with the local community what services could be provided from Benjamin Court in future and further information will be shared about this shortly.”
A feasibility study into the centre’s future is also expected to take place in the new year.
The centre provided short-stay care beds for people well enough to be discharged from hospital but not well enough to return home.
However, Norfolk County Council closed its doors as part of plans to offer a similar care service at people’s homes instead.
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