Women from a protest Facebook group have taken a stand against a proposed closure of Maldon's St Peter's Hospital by the local NHS system - by getting naked.

The Facebook post, uploaded to the group around noon on Tuesday (March 26), includes a video of seventeen women holding placards.

The placards each contain individual words, making up the statement: "How dare you strip us bare of medical services.

"We need our St Peter's to remain open forever."

The 17 women involved in the campaign. (Photo:

The video was uploaded by account admin Michelle Olley, who added: "The message is clear. If you want to keep St Peter's open, share this video.

"Support the brave ladies who stood up for your medical care."

In a direct message to Maldon Nub News, Michelle added: "Our campaign has always been to support the entire Maldon District. To ask the questions of the ICB in this public consultation on their behalf, at last weeks public meeting and to submit written evidence.

"We have been distributing paper copies of the survey on the high street, in supermarkets, across the Dengie, in care homes and in sheltered housing.

"We also galvanised the community with a peaceful vigil at St Peter's last weekend as a mark of respect for those staff working at the site who are uncertain of what will happen with their jobs"

She repeats: "Our statement in this video is very clear.

"Many of the services at St Peter's have been closed by stealth over the last year. Ahead of any decision in this consultation.

"The community beds have already been closed, clinics reduced and District nursing has already been informed they are leaving the area.."

Image of the vigil at St Peter's, Sunday March 17. (Photo: Christopher Cook)

The Facebook group, "Save Maldon's Medical Services" has already amassed over 2,700 members since the NHS consultation launched earlier this year.

The group have organised a number of protests and information events.

The protests are in response to proposals by the Mid and South Essex Intergrated Care System to close St Peter's Hospital, and relocate in-patient maternity and stroke rehabilitation beds to across Essex.