Residents have reacted to a decision to suspend inpatient services St Peter's Hospital will this winter, as the NHS says the Maldon facility has "deteriorated" in recent years.

The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust's announcement last month prompted Maldon District Council Leader Richard Siddall to say he was "completely dismayed" at the decision.

Don Benson, former Heybridge Residents Association Chair, argues the hospital is structurally "sound":

Prior to standing down as the original Chairman of Heybridge Residents Association, I had a meeting with the Projects Manager of the Mid-Essex Central Commissioning Group (now Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board).

The meeting was to discuss any issues concerning St Peter's Hospital.

It transpired then, as it does now - contrary to comments from some - that the building is sound. It needs some brick work pointing but what elderly building doesn't? The rooms within the hospital, if needed, can be partitioned to be efficiently beneficial.

The main issue with the Hospital is that the internal pipework is mainly lead piping which is not acceptable these days. This is an issue that, if approached and planned efficiently, can be resolved.

These simple facts surely place St Peter's Hospital in a very good position to continue to benefit Heybridge and Maldon residents, rather than travel all over the county for medical support.

During the meeting, we digressed somewhat with comments from this very experienced Member of the Mid-Essex Central Commissioning Group. Some of the issues are paramount in the problematic issues with the National Health Service:

1. Hands-on staff shortage.
2. Overloaded with administration staff and the overall cost of salaries.
3. Overloaded with senior and mid-level administrators.
4. Medicines and equipment purchasing needs a full and complete overhaul. Medicines are being purchased under very tight and long-term contracts at extremely exorbitant prices.
5. The positive management input by many at the senior level has not kept pace with requirements.
6. Outsourced services have grown to an almost uncontrollable situation. An active enquiry into this would very likely reduce financial output to a noticeable degree without loss of services.

Perhaps if the present Authority considered the mentioned issues, there would be no need whatsoever to close and pull down St Peter's Hospital, to make way for more unwanted future housing developments.

Don Benson, Resident of Heybridge

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