A DECISION on proposals to cut physiotherapy services in the district has been delayed for two months.

Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has consulted on three proposals, including one which would stop routine referrals to physiotherapy in a bid to help clear debts of £25m.

During an eight-week consultation it suggested saving up to £1m a year by either stopping GP-accessed physiotherapy, offering telephone advice or reducing available appointments to one assessment and one follow-up.

Campaigners fear the move could lead to the closure of clinic at Braintree Community Hospital, Springfield Hospital and Halstead Hospital.

It has also decided to delay a decision on scrapping funding for hearing aids for mild hearing loss, following a board meeting on Thursday.

Dr Donald McGeachy, medical director of Mid Essex CCG, said: “We are very grateful to the many people who shared their views and gave feedback on the proposals.

“Given the strength of public feeling expressed during the consultation and the support shown by professional bodies to working with local providers, we have decided to delay a decision on changing policy for hearing aids for mild hearing loss and GP-accessed physiotherapy.

“We want to explore other ways that we can make savings.

“However, we are still in a position where we have to save £15.7m this year, and still need to take some very tough decisions.”

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Proposals to stop routine funding of gluten-free foods on prescription and to not routinely fund vasectomy and female sterilisation in mid Essex will still go ahead, with immediate effect.

Mr McGeachy added: “After considering every aspect – feedback from local people, national campaign groups, clinical guidance – we have decided to stop routinely funding gluten-free food on prescription and to stop routinely funding vasectomy and female sterilisation.

“We are aware of the distress this may cause some people, it has been a very tough decision to make.

“However, given the severe financial situation in mid Essex, we need to take action.”

More than 1,200 people responded via an online survey, about 130 people attended six public meetings and 60 letters from professional bodies and the public were received during the consultation period.

The board members will meet again at the end of March.

The full outcome report of the consultation, produced by Enable East, is available midessexccg.nhs.uk