Important Update
The NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (MSEICB) has announced a six-month delay in the final decision-making regarding the reconfiguration of community hospital beds, a midwife-led birthing unit and ambulatory care services.
The decision follows an extensive public consultation, where valuable feedback was gathered from patients, staff, and the wider community. The delay aims to allow further engagement to ensure the final decision is fully informed and aligns with the needs of the local population.
This additional time will enable the NHS in mid and south Essex to develop comprehensive solutions that address the needs of local communities to enable staff to deliver the best possible care and make the best use of taxpayers money.
To ensure that the final decision reflects a broad range of perspectives, an independently chaired working group will be established to support looking at viable options in detail, including the long-term future of services provided at St Peter’s Hospital in Maldon. This group will include representatives from the NHS, local authorities, community organisations, and key stakeholders.
A special decision-making board meeting was due to be held on 30 September 2024 but will now be postponed enabling the working group to complete its review.
The delay means there will be no immediate changes to the provision of community hospital beds or ambulatory care services. All current services will continue as they are while the engagement process is ongoing.
Terms of reference for the working group are currently being developed.
For more information, to receive updates and to see the final consultation feedback reports, please visit the MSE ICB Virtual Views website.