Hospital closure plan deemed 'utterly inadequate'

Plans to shut a 151-year-old community hospital have been branded "utterly inadequate" by a group reviewing its expected closure.

NHS leaders were also told they made "grave errors" in how they would finance the decommissioning of St Peter's Hospital, in Maldon.

James Halden, who led the independent working group, urged NHS Mid and South Essex to reconsider its decision and instead invest in improving the site.

Hospital trust chief Tom Abell said the group's recommendations would be listened to with care.

The closure plan has been on hold since September after wide backlash from patients.

Under the proposals, the hospital's 16 stroke rehabilitation beds, birthing unit and outpatient service have all been at risk.

In his report, Mr Halden said a consultation held in light of the announcement was "far too hasty".

He said the plan for how services would be managed post-closure were "utterly inadequate".

Instead the group, which consisted of NHS and council representatives, among others, suggested the hospital should continue to function.

They agreed the building had "no long-term future" due to dilapidation, but stressed it should be replaced by a modern health hub rather than an all-out closure.

Mr Halden wrote "rapid investment and support" should be pumped into St Peter's, keeping its services alive for five years.

In that time, he suggested the local integrated care board (ICB) lobbied for money to fund the new hub.

"The lack of financial planning for a new hub by the ICB during the consultation was a grave error," Mr Halden said.

"Not only did it give the impression the offer to save all services within Maldon was an afterthought, it also opened the whole project up to risks due to not having a clear enough plan and vision."

It was also recommended that the 14,000 maternity outpatient appointments a year were protected in the current and rebuilt St Peter's.

However, the group conceded stroke services would have to cease in Maldon due to costs.

Reacting to the report, Mr Abell said he appreciated staff and the community were "keen to get clarity" over the hospital's future.

"The working group's recommendations will be carefully integrated into a comprehensive decision making business case," he added.

"The board will then review and consider this business case during the summer months, with the aim of making a well-informed decision about the proposed recommendations."

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