A survey by Healthwatch Norfolk found the majority of residents wanted Benjamin Court in Cromer to be reopened as a reablement centre but Norfolk and Waveney ICB said this did not fit in with the ‘other services already available and the model of care we want to provide, or which is financially viable'.

A spokesperson for the ICB said: ‘In line with the recommendations from Healthwatch Norfolk, we have asked NHS Property Services to keep us and the local community informed of progress with the site.

‘We will continue to keep under review the services available in north Norfolk, and if other opportunities arise to invest in services, we will explore them fully, as we have with Benjamin Court.'

Cllr Alison Thomas, cabinet member for adult social care, said Norfolk County Council would be able to support about 1,500 more people in 2024 due to switching care into people's homes.

The council said 39% of people receiving home based reablement had been fully reabled, compared with 13% when bed-based reablement was delivered at Benjamin Court.

Cllr Thomas added: ‘Since Covid, demand for home-based reablement has increased which is why we want to tailor our service to provide more support in this way, with the NHS focusing on in-patient support for people with higher medical needs.

‘Research has shown that you can recover much faster at home in a familiar environment, as your own bed is the best bed for recovery. Hospitals are where you get treated and home is where you get well. Those with medical needs will be supported by the NHS, either in community hospitals or via virtual wards.'

A spokesperson for NHS Property Services said: 'We recently received a hand back notice from the Norfolk and Waveney ICB declaring part of the Benjamin Court Reablement Centre in Cromer as surplus to commissioning requirements.  

'We are currently reviewing this notice as part of our hand back scheme standard procedure and, when successfully returned to NHSPS, will seek to offer the premises to public sector bodies in the first instance, prioritising any expressions of interest or offers to purchase. If no interest is registered the property would then be placed on the open market and, in line with our commitment to generate best value, any generated revenue from its sale would be reinvested directly into the NHS.

'We appreciate the community's interest in the future use of Benjamin Court and will provide further updates as the review process progresses.'