THE long-awaited replacement for St Peter’s Hospital should not be called a hospital because it may have no beds or inpatient services, a shock new report reveals.

St Peter’s Hospital, in Spital Road, is to be replaced or overhauled and redeveloped.

But a report, discussed last night by a Maldon District Council committee, revealed the replacement is set to be called the Maldon Health Hub, as there was “no certainty” it would offer inpatient services such as stroke rehabilitation.

NHS bosses this week admitted even the future of the maternity unit was under review.

The report, discussed at an overview and scrutiny committee meeting, said: “Members are asked to note that the project has now been rebadged the Maldon Health Hub project.

“This is because at the current time there is no certainty that beds will be provided within the new facility and it may not therefore be considered a ‘hospital’.

“There is a question around whether inpatient services will still be delivered and this is part of the wider review across Essex of acute activity.

“Consideration of options for the delivery of beds through an extra care facility will be undertaken through development of the business case.”

Trevor Fernandes, chairman of the Blackwater Participation Group, said the hub must “provide like for like”, as the town was growing.

He said: “This may require a Health Hub with a smaller footprint, assuming other facilities can be provided locally, nearer to people’s homes. This would be acceptable because it would improve services for patients. We will resist any diluting of services unless we have evidence of changing community needs.

“The same goes for provision of beds, which must be consistent with needs and must reflect the Maldon Health Needs Assessment.

“We would be concerned if services are reduced and inconsistent with demand, but that is not the case and we are keeping a close eye on developments.”

David Wilkin, Chairman of Longfield Patient Participation Group, admitted the NHS was short of resources and staff, a problem enhanced by a lack of affordable homes in the area.

He said: “However, both Patient Participation Groups remain fiercely supportive of a new Health Hub to serve the Maldon and Dengie area and will strive to maintain the excellence of the stroke rehabilitation regime via bed provision. With the absence of enhanced funding from central government we realise it’s wise to share resources within the NHS, but don’t accept that services should be reduced.”


Dr Caroline Dollery, chair of Mid Essex CCG, said: “In the next five years many things will be possible, such as monitoring blood pressure, oxygen levels and other vital signs without the need for patients to leave their home. These examples and many more are changing the landscape and the facilities we need to deliver the highest quality of care in the future.

“Things will look very different from what we’ve been used to in the past, but we are talking about delivering more care, not less.

“Details are still very much in development, but engagement and consultation with local people will continue to shape these plans.”

Fiona Marshall, chief executive of Maldon District Council, said: “We want to ensure that people in Maldon and the surrounding areas can benefit from good quality accessible care when they need it.”