MALDON District Council is withdrawing resources from the health hub project.

Following a behind-closed-doors meeting, members voted to not waste any more resources or officer time on the plans until the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group make progress on the health hub.

Past proposals have included refurbishing or replacing St Peter’s Hospital, a new hospital somewhere else, a health hub with beds and a downgraded hub with no beds but none have come to fruition.

A council spokesman said: “At the meeting, members expressed their frustration at the apparent lack of progress in delivering this much needed community facility.

“In recent years, the council has fully supported and worked hard to facilitate the provision of a new health care facility for the district.

“Despite seemingly making some progress in the last two years, the location and facilities in the new health hub are yet to be confirmed.”

Until the Clinical Commissioning Group has chosen a location or facilities it has been decided there is nothing more the council can do as it has “little or no influence over these fundamental points”.

The spokesman continued: “While the council fully supports the need for a new heath hub, it feels it has done all it can at this time.

“With the considerable financial constraints facing the authority, it can no longer commit further resources or officer time to the project at this stage.”

Mark Durham, Leader of Maldon District Council, said: ”For more than 20 years Maldon District Council has fully supported the provision of a new health care facility in the district and it will continue to do so.

"The location, deliverability and level of health care at any new facility will be decided by NHS England and not Maldon District Council.

"The council has always recognised this, but due to its own financial restraints and commitments it has agreed that it can no longer commit further resources and officer time to the project.

"The council will monitor future progress and at such time as the NHS confirms their commitment to a clear outcome, Members will be able to decide on the scale of its involvement. 

"The council made the decision following a long and protracted debate at its meeting on February 8.”

In response the Clinical Commissioning Group ignored the concerns raised about a lack of location, confirmed facilities or progress.

Instead director of transformation Dan Doherty said: “We’re very grateful to Maldon District Council for its long-standing commitment to the health hub’s development and all the work they have put into the process to date.

“With many demands on the time of both councillors and staff, we do appreciate they have to prioritise their time and resources to best serve the district’s residents.

“We have dedicated a great deal of time and effort to the project, so we can deliver a healthcare facility that properly serves the needs of people living in and around Maldon.”

He added: “We have listened to what patients and our hospital colleagues have told us and as a result expect the outline business case to include flexible inpatient and maternity beds.” The outline business case is still to be completed.

Patient group's reaction to council's decision

PATIENT participation groups revealed they share the council’s concerns about a lack of progress on the health hub.

In a joint statement, Longfield chairman David Wilkin and Blackwater chairman Trevor Fernandes said: “We can understand the frustration of the council.

“The board, which makes strategic decisions regarding the health hub project, had unanimously approved moving the project ahead on the basis of a hub without bed provision.

“This was to be enabled by the inception of the Home First concept of home care. We have major concerns with this approach which has already been delayed by several months with many unanswered questions.

“It seems every time we make a little progress an NHS agency moves the goalposts.

“Some NHS agencies have not even declined to attend the board meetings on a regular basis. Therefore, we understand the council’s decision.”

NHS England was urged to get more involved.