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.
Since I have come into post last month, I’ve been reviewing some of the decisions in train. While much work has been done, including significant input from our local communities, it is clear to me that more time is needed to thoroughly explore and evaluate the suggestions provided by the public and stakeholders. This additional time will enable us to work with partners and local communities to develop comprehensive solutions that best meets the needs of our communities and makes 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.
The working group will focus on:
- Reviewing feedback: Further analysing the input received during the consultation to explore feasible options for reconfiguring community beds, a midwife-led birthing unit and ambulatory services.
- Community and stakeholder engagement: Engaging with stakeholders to co-develop viable solutions that meet local healthcare needs.
- Providing recommendations: After the six-month engagement period, the working group will present its recommendations to NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated care Board (ICB) for consideration.
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 existing provision of community hospital beds, midwife-led birthing or ambulatory care services. All current services will continue as they are while the engagement process is ongoing.
The working group will begin in the coming weeks. For more information and to receive updates, please visit the MSE ICB Virtual Views website.