Local people are being asked for their views on how Benjamin Court in Cromer could be used in future.

NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) is working with Healthwatch Norfolk to gather and listen to views from local people during an engagement period running from 8 May – 4 June 2024.

Benjamin Court in Cromer has been used to provide a range of health and care services in the past. It is made-up of two buildings, however one of these has largely been empty since last June. The ICB is considering what should happen with the building that is largely empty and would like people’s ideas about how it could be used in future.

A document has been produced and can be found on the ICB’s website here.  

The document provides:

• Some background information about Benjamin Court, including the size and layout of the buildings.
• The current position with the building, including the options we have explored so far.
• Details about how you can share your ideas about how the building could be used in future.
• An explanation about how a decision will be made about what happens with Benjamin Court.

Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive Officer at NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB, said: “There is a history of providing good services from Benjamin Court which have helped many people living in North Norfolk.

“We are now in the process of considering how the building might be used in the future and we have started to explore some potential ideas. We know that members of the local community are interested in what happens with the building and have ideas for how it could be used. We want to hear everyone’s thoughts and suggestions.”

However, she cautioned: “We welcome all ideas but, in the current financial climate, it is really important to consider funding. We will need to ensure ideas and suggestions could be funded on an ongoing basis and could also be staffed, as we know from experience that it can be hard to recruit health and care staff in North Norfolk.

“It is imperative that we use the funding we have as effectively as we can in order to address the wide range of health and care needs of people living in North Norfolk, and across Norfolk and Waveney. We would ask that people consider this when coming-up with ideas about how the building at Benjamin Court could be used in future.”

Alex Stewart, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Norfolk, said: “We would encourage people to share their thoughts, ideas and suggestions for the future of Benjamin Court. Healthwatch Norfolk’s role is to encourage people to leave their feedback in many ways, and we will then analyse all the responses we receive. Please take the time to make your views known. The more feedback and information we get, the better.”

People can feed back their views in a number of ways: 

• Completing the online survey via this link: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/BenjaminCourtFuture/

• Completing the paper survey which can be found in the engagement document on the ICB’s website and posting it to Healthwatch Norfolk

• Sharing your ideas at one of the drop-in sessions being held on the following dates:

• 13 May – Sheringham Library – 1.00pm-4.00pm

• 14 May – The Hub at Sheringham Little Theatre – 10.00am-12.00pm

• 15 May – Roys of Wroxham – 10.00am-12.00pm

• 16 May – Community Supermarket at Wicken Green near Fakenham – 10.30am-12.00pm

• 16 May – A spot on the WOW Bus in Fakenham Market Place – 1.00pm-4.00pm

• 17 May – Cromer Library – 10.30am-4.00pm

We will also be holding a workshop for members of the public to attend. The details of the this will be publicised on the websites and social media of NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB and Healthwatch Norfolk, as well as via other routes too.

Healthwatch Norfolk will analyse all of the feedback and produce a report for NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB). The ICB will then review the report and the ideas put forward and take a decision.

The ICB is hoping to find a solution that is viable financially, can be staffed, and will benefit as many people in Norfolk and Waveney as possible, and we really value local people’s ideas and suggestions.

However, if following the engagement exercise no viable alternative use of the building can be found, then the ICB will return the site to NHS Property Services. This would enable NHS Property Services to look for alternative tenants.

Alternatively, NHS Property Services could look to sell the site. If they were to sell it, then half of the proceeds from the sale would be available to reinvest in other NHS Property Services sites in Norfolk and Waveney.