Plans to close the 150-year-old hospital have been paused following opposition from the local community.

Under the new plans, community outpatient and ambulatory care services at the hospital Maldon will remain for up to five years during development of a new local health hub.

Stroke rehabilitation services will be transferred to facilities in Rochford and Brentwood and a freestanding midwife-led birthing unit will be permanently relocated to Braintree, with antenatal and postnatal outpatient care remaining at the hospital.

Speaking at the board meeting yesterday, Tom Abell, chief executive for NHS Mid and South Essex, said: ‘The decisions reached today reflect our ambition to improve health services for everyone who lives in mid and south Essex. 

‘We listened carefully to the feedback we've received on these proposals, and I want to thank everyone involved, including the members of the community and the staff involved who gave up their time to give their views, which have informed the decisions we have made today. 

‘There will be a period of implementation, during which we will work closely with staff and local communities to ensure they are actively involved as their expertise will be critical in ensuring we get the best possible outcomes for patients because of these changes.'