CHANGES to the health service at the hospital in Maldon have been revealed to take place this autumn.

The NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board has announced the relocation of the inpatient community services for stroke rehabilitation, intermediate care, and midwifery-led births at St Peter’s Hospital in Maldon.

The plans have been proposed in an update from the service looking to “strengthen healthcare services for our community this winter”.

The birthing unit at St Peter’s Hospital was said to see an average of six births a month. The is set to move to the William Julien Courtauld Birthing Unit (WJC) in Braintree.

Maternity outpatient appointments will continue at St Peter’s but people wanting to give birth in a midwifery-led unit will be directed to the William Julien Courtauld (WJC) birthing unit in Braintree or Broomfield Hospital instead.

Deborah Goldsmith, director of midwifery at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We want to provide families with the best experience when they are having their babies, and the modern, purpose-built facilities in Braintree will allow us to do exactly that.

“Unfortunately, we had to regularly close the facilities at St Peter’s, but using the birthing suite at WJC means we will be able to offer a safer and more reliable service.”

Inpatient rehabilitation community beds will be increased but moved to Bayman Ward at Brentwood Community Hospital.

There will be 25 beds available for stroke rehabilitation in Brentwood, which will replace the 16 beds at St Peter’s.

Outpatient services such as diagnostics and screening will still be provided from St Peter’s.

The care service has reassured patients the hospital is still safe to use as “several short-term solutions” are in place.

In recent months the service has been made aware of water leaking through the roof and the only lift with the capacity of taking a bed has broken down several times.

In the update, a spokesman said: ”Sustaining a safe and high-quality service is no longer possible at St Peter’s due to the condition of the building.

“It has deteriorated in recent years and is no longer the best place to deliver inpatient care.”

The council has assured residents it will continue to work with the NHS and hopes to push forward on plans for proposed medical facilities in the district.

Richard Siddall, leader of Maldon District Council, said: “I am completely dismayed at the decision which has been made by the Integrated Care Board.

“Whilst I recognise the issues the NHS are facing with the St Peter’s site these are not new problems and something that should have been managed appropriately.

“However, we recognise that patient safety is the uppermost consideration in this decision.

“The move of the Stroke Unit to Brentwood is going to be particularly hard for families who will have to rely on public transport, and this does not appear to have been a consideration when they made their decision.

“It will also impact on NHS staff who work at the hospital, many who are local and moving to Brentwood for some will be impossible.

“The Council will continue to work closely with the NHS to ensure that the remaining services continue to be delivered in Maldon.

“In addition, we will be pushing NHS to bring forward the delivery of the proposed medical facilities across the district, which have been outlined in our Local Development Plan, this will ensure that the best services possible are provided for our residents.”

The NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board has been contacted for further information.