On Thursday 6, Maldon Nub News attended the NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Systems Public Consultation event about the proposed relocation of St Peter's Hospital services.

These are our key takeaways from the meeting: 

• Building quality is the key problem with St Peter's

"We had been offering physio and exercise classes in the old café building. But it is cold, often floods, and we have to cancel sessions constantly." - Rebecca Boyes, Director of Operations at Provide Health.

76% of the total internal area of St Peter's show signs of defects, 52% of which are high risk. One NHS ICB Rep told us that not only is this a problem when trying to provide 21st-century healthcare, it also discourages staff, sometimes coming from as far as London, from working in the building.

Fixing all the problems would cost £18.7 million, which the Mid and South Essex NHS Integrated Care System says is "more than what is available". They say that, even with the fixes, the hospital would still need extra funding to be brought to modern standards.

• Resident's number one concern is transport.

"Is there an Option C?" - Residents discussing the bed relocation proposals.

The ICB proposal suggests that all stroke rehabilitation and integrated care beds will be moved out of Maldon if agreed. These are rehabilitation beds which around 25% of stroke patients are transported to for recovery.

The proposal would most affect visitors to stroke patients, who could have to travel to Brentwood to visit their loved one.

Inpatient midwifery services are also proposed to move to Braintree, a journey some say is "too far". 

The ICB say this change will increase the number of births for their midwife service. Outpatient services for soon-to-be or new mothers are set to stay local.

• Alternative local locations for day-to-day services have been considered

"This is not a done deal, but we would be stupid to have not looked at other local locations for these services to go to."- Rebecca Boyes, Director of Operations at Provide Health.

"The reality is keeping St Peter's open is not an option." - NHS ICB Representative

Alternative local sites have been considered to provide the day-to-day services St Peter's has been offering, but no decisions or official plans have been made for this to happen, when it could happen, or where services would go. One NHS ICB rep told Nub News: "There is no timeline at this stage".

• There is frustration that more could've been done earlier

"I wish you had asked us thirty years ago if we wanted St Peter's to be brought up to standard, now we have only the option of services being taken away from us." - Resident.

Many residents spoke of the frustration that St Peter's had reached this breaking point. A 150-year-old Victorian building, it is no surprise that years of use may have rendered it unfit for purpose. But some say they believe 'empty promises' of a new hospital have led to their anger at these plans.

You can check out the proposals for yourself on the Mid and South Essex NHS ICB website, where you can also respond to the consultation.

Maldon Nub News continues to follow the St Peter's Hospital proposal story closely, check back for updates.