Town's new hospital moves closer

By Sharon Asplin

THE site of a proposed £20 million community hospital for Maldon is expected to be announced this month.

The board of the Maldon and South Chelmsford Primary Care Trust said the public consultation into the scheme for the new hospital had resulted in unanimous support.

An outline business case is now being prepared, which is expected to be submitted to the Essex Strategic Health Authority in October.

Although the trust declined to reveal its favoured location, land appraisals and traffic studies are already at an advanced stage so it will be in a position to provide recommendations for a preferred site for the new hospital.

Mike Harrison, trust chief executive, said: “There has been very strong support for the development of a new community hospital.

“A large majority of respondents recognised the need to relocate to a new site and said patients will benefit from having services provided on a modern, purpose-built facility.

But concerns were raised over the access to a new hospital, both by public and private transport.

Other worries uncovered included the provision of emergency services in Maldon, minimising disruption to patients and staff, the future use of the current St Peter's Hospital site, staff recruitment and retention and the number of intermediate care beds planned.

Among the facilities the new hospital could provide are intermediate and rehabilitation care beds for the younger physically disabled, the development of group midwifery including local delivery and postnatal beds, a comprehensive range of outpatient services and a digital x-ray service.

An assessment and rehabilitation unit, a therapy centre, an out-of hours nurse-led minor injury service, the development of GP specialist services and a child development unit are also being considered.

sharon.asplin@eadt.co.uk