PATIENTS will finally get to have their say on long-awaited proposals for Maldon’s new hospital.

Maldon District Council, the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), GPs and patient groups are working together to draw up plans for future facilities for the town.

A timetable for the Maldon Health Hub, which will replace St Peter’s Hospital, has now been revealed.

Designs for the shortlisted options will be drawn up next month with appraisals of the proposals by July.

These proposals will then be put to public consultation in September.

Land at Wycke Hill and redeveloping the current hospital in Spital Road have been outlined as viable locations for a new facility.

The new hub will include services already provided at St Peter’s such as midwifery and physiotherapy, along with new services and possibly a care home.

It is yet to be decided if the hub will feature inpatient beds as moves are made to deliver care closer to home after treatment.

Calculations have been drawn up to cater for both eventualities.

Under the plans the Blackwater Medical Centre could also relocate to the new hub.

As part of the wider work on healthcare provision in the town the council and NHS are looking at a new facility in the North Heybridge Garden Suburb.

Maldon District Council Chief Executive Fiona Marshall, said: “After waiting such a long time to find out the future of St Peter’s, we are pleased to see Mid Essex CCG taking a strong leadership role in the delivery of this long awaited facility and that the community, through coordinated consultation plans, will be given the opportunity to influence the final outcome.

“It is also helpful for provision of primary care services in Heybridge to be included in these discussions so that requirements can be firmed up and plans for delivery, in partnership with the land owners and developers, can progress.”