Following the recent General Election, Sir John Whittingdale, MP for Maldon and Dame Priti Patel, MP for Witham, have written a joint letter to the newly appointed Labour Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting. They did so urging him and the new Labour Government to make the matter of St Peter’s Hospital in Maldon an urgent priority.
Both Sir John and Dame Priti have explained in detail how the situation in relation to St Peter’s, and the local NHS’ proposals to close it, have evolved over the last seven months.
They thoroughly outline the exact nature of the proposals by NHS Mid and South Integrated Care System and the demonstrably negative reception indicated by local residents. They go on to describe the extent to which St Peter’s provides essential health services to a huge number of both Sir John and Dame Priti’s constituents residing in the Maldon District and surrounding area. Also highlighting that many of these people live in remote rural villages nearby and therefore any significant relocation of services would create myriad problems for residents who rely on St Peter’s convenient location.
As is indicated below by the images of the letter that has been sent to the Health Secretary, Sir John and Dame Priti have asked that despite the change in Government, the Department continue to engage constructively with this matter.
They have also urged Ministers to make time for an urgent meeting with both Sir John and Dame Priti to further discuss how services can be retained in the town going forward.
