South West Norfolk MP Christopher Fraser, who has been leading the campaign to keep intermediate care services in Swaffham, has welcomed the assurance after concerns that support might be withdrawn and the hospital closed.

Since a review last year, NHS Norfolk (formerly Norfolk Primary Care Trust) has been working with interested parties, including GPs, Breckland Council, Swaffham Town Council and Swaffham Community Hospital's League of Friends, to fully understand health needs in West Norfolk before deciding how to move forward for the longer term.

The possibility of building a new, larger community hospital in Swaffham has been among the options, and Mr Fraser has now been told that the findings of the review will be considered by NHS Norfolk at its Tuesday, July 22, board meeting.

He said: "NHS Norfolk has told me that the board paper has been delayed until July to ensure that they have a full and comprehensive understanding of all the factors, including the county context, the finances and the future needs of the population.

"In reply to my continued concern for the future, the chairman, Sheila Childerhouse, has written to give me a categorical assurance that 'if the outcome of the work we have been undertaking concerning the future of intermediate care in Swaffham should not result in the building of a new unit at this point in time, we would continue to support the current facility'.

"Mrs Childerhouse has also paid tribute to the excellent and good value care offered by Swaffham Community Hospital.

"Our fears that support would be withdrawn and the hospital closed has been addressed."