A PATIENT participation group has supported plans to possibly relocate Blackwater Medical Centre, provided certain conditions are met.

The Blackwater Patient Participation Group aims to support the decision to possibly relocate the practice to merge with a new “community health hub”.

But it wants the centre’s dispensary, which prepares patient medication, to go with it.

The Standard reported last week the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group and Maldon District Council had appointed a project manager to oversee plans to bring a new community hospital to Maldon by 2020, which included possibly merging the Blackwater centre on Princes Road.

Trevor Fernandes, chairman of the Blackwater Patient Participation Group, said: “The group would like to see Blackwater Medical Centre relocate to the new facility, because it will have adequate modern consulting rooms, parking and other improved patient facilities.

“Additionally, the modern facility may attract new GPs.

“However, the sticking point is the dispensary. Blackwater won’t move without the pharmacy dispensary service, because they will lose revenue.”

Mr Fernandes said he will continue to support the plans but challenge them if they do not provide the best outcome for patients.

He said: “Our key aim is to support any solution that will encourage the practice to relocate.

“But we don’t want more setbacks, which is hopefully what the project manager will prevent.”