There is less than a month to go until the extraordinary Mid and South Essex ICB Board meeting to discuss the decision following the consultation to close St Peter's Hospital.

The meeting follows the consultation earlier this year into community hospital capacity across Mid and South Essex, in which over 5000 residents responded.

The three month long public consultation from January to April this year followed the release of a 'pre-consultation business case' developed by a team at the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board.

The business case outlined plans to relocate St Peter's midwife-led birthing unit at St Peter's to a Health Centre in Braintree.

It also offered two options for the reconfiguration of intermediate care and stroke rehabilitation beds to alternative locations across the county.

If the plans are agreed to, it would result in the permanent closure of the 150-year-old hospital.

Outpatient services are proposed to remain in the Maldon area, with the proposal suggesting that until a "purpose built" primary care facility is available, options would be explored across currently vacant buildings within the Maldon area.

In July, a draft public consultation report by the ICB highlighted the strength of feeling against the plans, with 92% of respondents describing the removal of the community hospital in Maldon as a "bad or very bad" idea.

The extraordinary meeting will take place on September 30 at 2pm, at the Chelmsford Civic Offices. 

RSVPs are now open if you wish to attend, though it is noted that while this is a meeting held "in  public", it is not a public meeting and the public are not permitted to interrupt the Board's proceedings.