Residents say they are 'thrilled' after plans to close an Essex hospital were called "far too hasty" and "utterly inadequate", a review has found. NHS Mid and South Essex made a "grave error" in not planning a new medical centre for Maldon, as part of a major shake up of services across Essex, according to a review.

Health care bosses proposed closing St Peter's Hospital in the town and relocating stroke hospital beds and maternity services to other sites in Essex. The working group led by chairman James Halden has now made a number of recommendations including investment to keep the St Peter's Hospital operational for approximately five years while capital funding is assembled for a purpose-built new facility, ideally on part of the current site.

He also insists NHS bosses should preserve the approximately 14,000 pre and post-natal appointments that currently take place at St Peter's Hospital, Maldon each year while maintaining midwife led births at Braintree Community Hospital.

The plans sparked fury with campaigners who insist keeping St Peter's Hospital open will have "massive benefits." Jo Phillips, campaign manager with Save Maldon Medical Services, said: "I am really pleased and absolutely thrilled to bits. Our campaign was all about keeping services in our area and as close to people as possible. We did not want people to have to travel to Broomfield Hospital for routine, day to day, health care, and that seems to be the recommendations.

"There will be massive benefits if this goes through, especially economically, people can pop to St Peter's for routine, day to day appointments and be back at work, rather than spending half a day or more going to Broomfield Hospital. I also think it impacts the demographic of the volunteer sector and closing these services would see them taken away from the work they do. It also means children don't need as much time off school for a health appointment."

The new report states: "The original consultation was far too hasty in suggesting that St Peters close with utterly inadequate plans as to how services would be managed after being separated into unspecific and likely unstable temporary arrangements.

"The recommendations suggest rapid investment and support into St Peters to keep all outpatients services at the hospital over, roughly, the next 5 years. The lack of financial planning for a new hub by the ICB during the consultation was a grave error."

Tom Abell, chief executive of NHS Mid and South Essex, said "I am keen for the NHS and community to continue to work together to build a stronger future.

"I fully appreciate both staff and the community will be keen to get clarity on the future of these community services. To ensure transparency and move our collaborative efforts forward, the working group's recommendations will be carefully integrated into a comprehensive Decision Making Business Case. The Board will then review and consider this business case during the summer months, with the aim of making a well-informed decision about the proposed recommendations."