‘Build new Maldon health hub on St Peter’s Hospital site’, NHS told following review

Health hub - St Peter's Hospital. Inset: Save Maldon's Medical Services campaigner Kerry Williams. (Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

A NEW health hub should be built at St Peter’s Hospital in Maldon amid “rapid investment over the next five years”, the NHS has been told.

The recommendations were made by a working group set up to review plans for the future of the hospital, following a pause in public consultation last year.

In the report published yesterday (March 27), the initial proposal by NHS Mid and South Essex to shut St Peter’s was branded “far too hasty”. Plans to separate services were slammed as “utterly inadequate”.

James Halden, independent chair of the working group, said: “There was a strong feeling that the original proposals had not sufficiently explored the range of options with the community or staff.

“The proposals to move services into an array of buildings would have been expensive, hard to manage, and inconvenient for local residents.”

The report described the “lack of financial planning” for a new health hub in the region during the consultation as “a grave error”, giving the impression that the services within Maldon were “an afterthought”.

Recommendations included supporting outpatient services at the existing hospital for approximately the next five years.

Another recommendation was to reopen the hospital café, after it closed in 2023, to provide “much needed comfort for staff and patients”.

The report was welcomed by Councillor Andrew Lay, Mayor of Maldon, who praised the efforts of campaigners.

He said: “Special recognition must go to Save Maldon's Medical Services, led by Jo Phillips, Steve Rogers, and Kerry Williams. Their tireless advocacy has ensured the voice of the community is heard by the NHS.

Members of Save Maldon's Medical Services campaigning at the town's Tesco store. (Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

“While the report does not achieve everything we had hoped for, I am pleased it acknowledges the vital work being carried out in the Maldon District to support residents.

“The key focus now must be on delivering real change.”

Tom Abell, Chief Executive of NHS Mid and South Essex, commissioned the review when the consultation was paused last October.

He said: “I am keen for the NHS and community to continue to work together to build a stronger future.”

The working group’s recommendations will be presented to the NHS in May, to be considered as part of a “Decision-Making Business Case” this summer.

Save Maldon Medical Services campaigners are due to appear on Caroline Coastal FM’s Saturday Lunchtime show from 12pm.