A HOSPITAL in Maldon could close permanently after health bosses meet next week.
St Peter’s Hospital, which is located in Spital Road and is about 150 years old, previously had changes mooted in August 2023.
At the time, the NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board announced the proposed relocation of inpatient community services for stroke rehabilitation, intermediate care, and midwifery-led births.
Temporary service changes have included transferring the 16 stroke rehabilitation beds at St Peter’s Hospital to the Bayman Ward at Brentwood Community Hospital, increasing capacity there to 25 stroke rehabilitation beds.
The hospital could potentially be put up for sale for £6.2million.
Pre-consultation NHS papers read: "With the temporary transfer of the 16 inpatient beds for stroke rehabilitation to Brentwood Community Hospital, the birthing unit at St Peter’s was left in an unsatisfactory state and isolated, especially out of hours.
"It was decided to transfer it to the WJC Unit St Michael’s Health Centre, adjacent to the Braintree Community Hospital, which has two delivery rooms and a birthing pool.
"Maternity outpatient services were not transferred and alternative accommodation local to Maldon is considered to be the best available short-term option for maternity outpatients."
Maldon Council leader Richard Siddall said: “As a key local partner in helping to deliver an integrated care system, Maldon Council will respond to the consultation as a consultee.
“Residents and service users will be given the opportunity to attend engagement events and to give their feedback on where and how services could be delivered locally and potentially make better use of the public sector estate across the whole of the mid and south Essex area.
“Our understanding is that consultation responses will inform a future business case that will set out potential delivery options and help to identify specific locations.
“Maldon Council is keen to support the Mid Essex Alliance in ensuring services are accessible to residents and meet the demand of our community’s health needs.
“We will continue to discuss opportunities that enable the council to help meet the challenges faced by the NHS and help to achieve better health and wellbeing outcomes, including the potential to locate services within the council’s estate.”
Dr Matt Sweeting, interim system medical director for Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System said: “St Peter’s Hospital in Maldon has served the community well for over 150 years.
"It is an iconic building and I know it is well loved by local residents.
"However, despite previous investment, the site has limitations that means it will struggle to meet the modern standards required for 21st century healthcare.
"There is an increasing risk of not being able to provide safe and high quality clinical services from this site.
"NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is therefore due to review proposals that include moving services out of the St Peter’s site permanently in the future.
"This will involve determining the right locations for services in and around Maldon.
"No decisions have currently been made and, if the proposals are approved, we will be encouraging residents to share their views in a future public consultation.”
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