A CAMPAIGNER says the community "won't be silenced" in their bid to save St Peter's Hospital in Maldon.
An ongoing public consultation deciding the community hospital’s fate started on January 25 and will conclude on March 21.
The major NHS shake-up could see temporary service changes at the hospital made permanent.
Daren Norman of Plains Road, Great Totham, said the community was “incensed” by the proposals.
He said: “St Peter’s Hospital, a venerable institution with 150 years of service, stands at the heart of our community.
"And what do they propose? The relocation of inpatient beds and services miles away.
“This flies in the face of their lofty commitment to quality of care.”
Mr Norman said the allocation of a £20million fund for a new community hospital in Maldon had raised “justifiable expectations” among residents.
He said: “We envisioned a modern, fit-for-purpose facility that would cater to our growing population and address our clinical needs. The promise of improved healthcare services was palpable.”
A public meeting involving MP Sir John Whittingdale and NHS representatives took place at the Plume Academy on February 9.
Mr Norman said the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust revealed at the meeting that refurbishing and upgrading the hospital to “an excellent standard” would cost £18.5 million.
He said that made the prospect of revitalising St Peter’s “not just viable, but also cost effective”.
Mr Norman described the public consultation as the residents’ “battlefield”.
“Despite the availability of the £20million war chest, the decision-makers have inexplicably shifted their focus away from building a new hospital," he said.
“Our community deserves more than vague hand-waving - we demand transparency regarding the reallocation of funds.”
He added: “Sir John Whittingdale, our Conservative MP, is livid. He’s not alone. We’re all fuming.
“The loss of essential outpatient services — X-rays, blood tests, physiotherapy — is unacceptable.”
Mr Norman said the community was “not backing down” and called for residents to channel their frustration into action.
He said: “Our community’s well-being hangs in the balance, and we won’t be silenced.”
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