Maldon: St Peter's Hospital ward closures only 'temporary' - but consultation to begin early next year
The NHS body responsible for St Peter's Hospital in Maldon has assured residents the facility is not closing, but a consultation on its future will be held in early 2024.
In August, the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board announced its decision to suspend inpatient services at the hospital this winter, as it had "deteriorated" in recent years.
Following the announcement, Maldon District Council Leader Councillor Richard Siddall said he was "completely dismayed" by the decision.
"Whilst I recognise the issues the NHS are facing with the St Peter's site, these are not new problems and something that should have been managed appropriately," he said.
Rumours the hospital could close for good prompted outcry from residents, who held a protest outside earlier this month.
However, the NHS says the hospital is not closing and that only inpatient activity is moving. All other services, such as outpatients, diagnostics and maternity support will continue.
A spokesperson for Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System told Nub News: "Any change can be unsettling, and we are warmed by the strength of feeling for the care provided at St Peter's.
"It's important to remember these changes are temporary for winter. They were made with safety and quality of care at the heart of the decision-making process, including our capacity to meet demand during the winter. We are putting together wider plans, working with clinical leads and patient representatives, which we will bring out to consultation early next year."
Outpatient services provided from St Peter's will continue this winter, such as blood tests, diagnostics, screening, and maternity outpatient appointments.
Meanwhile, the hospital's birthing unit, which sees six births a month on average, will relocate. Those wanting to give birth in a midwifery-led unit will use the Willian Julien Courtauld (WJC) birthing unit in Braintree or Broomfield Hospital instead.
Short-term inpatient community rehabilitation beds will also be relocated. Bayman Ward at Brentwood Community Hospital will instead provide 25 beds for stroke rehabilitation in modern accommodation, replacing the 16 beds at St Peter's.
It is understood formal plans should be drawn up by the end of this year and will take the form of a "pre-consultation business case". That will be used as the basis for a formal public consultation in the early part of 2024.
In May, local MP Sir John Whittingdale said heads need "knocking together" to ensure health services in Maldon can improve.
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