FURTHER to KT Barton’s letter (Standard, June 3), I too was disappointed to discover that the Social Hall at St Peter’s Hospital is being used for storage and that this valuable resource is unavailable to the community even though other similar facilities are reopening with a great deal of demand.

I undertook my cardiac rehab there, and ultimately joined Happy Hearts Exercise who, prior to the pandemic, held four weekly classes at the hall.

Unsure as to who is responsible for the administration of the hall, I messaged both Provide at Maldon and also the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust on May 23, inquiring as to when and if the hall might be reopened. My message to Provide was read, but has not been acknowledged nor replied to as of today (June 3).

The NHS Trust directed me to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service who I was advised would be able to help with my questions. I emailed PALS on May 24 and again have received no acknowledgement or reply to date.

Let us hope that this is just a temporary state of affairs and that the hall will become available as before.

Let us also hope that it it is being maintained so as not to be declared “unfit for purpose” and suitable only for storage. We are continually encouraged to take responsibility for our own health, to be active and to exercise by the NHS and others, so a failure to reopen the hall seems to be particularly incongruous, especially when it is situated in the grounds of the local hospital.

In the meantime, perhaps those responsible for the Social Hall can take a few moments to clarify their intentions for the premises and the equipment within.

John Guiver

Tideway, Maldon