TWO mid Essex MPs have met with campaigners fighting to save Maldon's hospital for the first time since the General Election.

The meeting between Witham and Maldon MPs Dame Priti Patel and Sir John Whittingdale and the Save Maldon Medical Services group was to discuss the findings of the recently published draft report on the public feedback to the Mid & South Essex ICS consultation regarding St Peter’s Hospital.

The main focus of the meeting was on the recently published draft report on the public feedback to the consultation that was undertaken earlier in the year, and to discuss the plan moving forward ahead of the next ICS Board meeting which will take place on September 30.

At the extraordinary board meeting in September, the feedback received from the consultation will be used to inform the decision-making process.

On the meeting, Dame Priti said: “Once again, local residents, campaigners and community leaders in the Maldon District have come together to ensure that our voices are heard as part of the ongoing campaign to save St Peters and ensure that access to much needed medical services is retained within the Maldon District.

"It was helpful to hear what the campaign group have been up to during the General Election period, and how they intend to move forward with next steps. As the consultation report shows, the vast majority of respondents have serious concerns over the current proposals, and reject these plans that would lead to the closure of medical services.”

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.

A report on feedback received during the consultation revealed “widespread objections” from residents.

The report said: “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.”