Negotiations are still ongoing over the lease of part of Halstead Hospital to an NHS Trust.

Services at the Hedingham Road hospital are provided by a combination of both Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust and Provide, formally Central Essex Community Services (CECS).

The latter pays a very small rent for use of the top part of the site to owners Halstead Hospital League of Friends.

The lower part has been owned by PropCo (NHS Property Services) since April last year when all PCT-owned buildings were transferred as part of the reform of the NHS.

It emerged this week that Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, which provides services from that part of the hospital, is still yet to strike a deal over the rent it will pay.

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