NHS bosses are set to be quizzed amid fears vital health services could start to leave Maldon’s hospital.

Maldon District Council has questioned why some providers are moving staff out of St Peter’s and expressed frustration over delays in deciding whether or not the hospital will be replaced with a new building.

The overview and scrutiny committee has asked lead members of the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, the directors of NHS England Essex area team and the chief executive of Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust to face questions.

Provide recently relocated about 60 office staff from St Peter’s to Colchester.

Deputy council leader Miriam Lewis said: "The council has been trying for some time to seek some clarity on how healthcare will be delivered to our residents and what this will mean for St Peter’s Hospital.

“The level of uncertainty that persists around this issue is unacceptable and a serious concern for us.”

* Full story in this week's Standard.