A DRAFT report on feedback received during a consultation into the proposed closure of St Peter’s Hospital, in Maldon, has revealed “widespread objections” from residents.

Health bosses revealed potential plans to relocate services at the 150-year-old hospital in Maldon earlier this year.

A public consultation was launched by the NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), which ran from January 25 to April 11 and saw more than 5,400 people take part.

All responses and feedback have now been analysed and reported on by independent organisation Stand.

The report says: “There is widespread objection to both sets of consultation proposals and to the idea of moving other services out of St Peter’s Hospital in Maldon.

“The main reasons cited are the burden of extra travel time and costs the proposals would place on patients, families and carers, and its impact on the environment, and how the potential closure of St Peter’s without a replacement facility would leave the health needs of residents of Maldon unmet.”

Health bosses are proposing moving the midwife-led birthing unit from St Peter’s to Braintree Community Hospital.

Plans to move all other patient services at St Peter’s to other locations, mostly in and around Maldon, are also outlined.

A total of 80 per cent said the midwife unit changes were a "very poor solution", with 81 per cent saying moving all other services out of St Peter's was a "very bad idea".

The report said: “It is evident that many view St Peter’s Hospital as the heart of Maldon, providing much-loved and vital services to local residents.

“The consultation has led to a great deal of upset, uncertainty and anger amongst members of the public and staff about the future of healthcare services in Maldon, with particular concerns about the ability of residents from Maldon and surrounding areas to access healthcare services.”

It also noted frustration over the “historical mismanagement and lack of investment” in St Peter’s.

The report said there was an “evident level of distrust” among the public and staff with "repeated reference being made to past promises for a new hospital or health hub in Maldon”.

“Many expressed their frustration of being let down and their voices not being listened to,” the report said.

Others felt that decisions about the closure of St Peter’s Hospital have “already been made”, with concern that views expressed during the consultation “will not be taken on board”.

Consultations also revealed that many believe St Peter’s could be “refurbished or rebuilt” with NHS and government investment alongside “other funding opportunities”,

Dr Matt Sweeting, executive medical director for NHS Mid and South Essex, said: “We would like to thank the thousands of people who took the time to give their views during our public consultation.  

“We want to make sure we have considered all views and suggestions on any alternative service models that may have been suggested through the public consultation.  

“People who provided feedback now have an opportunity to review the consultation report to ensure it reflects what they have said, as it is very important that we have this information available to us when we come to make our decision about the future of community and midwifery services across mid and south Essex.”  

The draft report will be presented to Mid and South Essex ICB at meeting on July 11.

A decision-making meeting will then take place at a special Mid and South Essex ICB board meeting on September 30.