Medway Maritime Hospital could be moved to cope with 60,000 more people over the next two decades.

Documents released as part of the public consultation on Medway's Local Plan reveal that the council and health bosses are looking at redeveloping or even relocating Medway Maritime Hospital.

The report says the hospital is coming under increasing financial and social pressures, and also identifies issues with the high number of GP practices where the number of patients is above the national average and the number of GPs approaching retirement.

One of the goals of the plan, which sets out Medway Council's vision for the future of Medway, is to reduce health inequalities, increase life expectancy and improve people's quality of life.

The report, which can be read online, said: "The council will work closely with Medway NHS CCG to plan for the future of acute care within Medway and investigate the options for redevelopment of the Medway Maritime hospital site or relocation to a new site within Medway."

Put into special measures in 2013, Medway NHS Foundation Trust has been following an improvement plan and was given £13.4m by the Department of Health to improve A&E, which was originally designed for 45,000 people but now sees 110,000 each year.

The department has been under extreme pressure this winter with around 400 people a day coming through the doors.

In a joint statement, Medway Council, Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Medway NHS CCG said: “Over the next 20 years Medway must evolve to manage a growing population and create a sustainable environment for future generations. This includes providing care services that can cope and perform well with increased demand.

“As part of Medway’s Local Plan, the council, Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Medway NHS CCG will be working closely together to plan for the future of acute care locally, and assess the options for redevelopment of the Medway Maritime hospital site or relocation to a new site within Medway. We have already begun to do this as part of the Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Plan, looking at all potential options to ensure that we are able to meet the healthcare needs of our community especially as the population is set to grow significantly.

“The Local Plan is currently in the very early stages and details of any changes to the local health landscape will be consulted on over the coming years as this important plan develops.

“Local Plan proposals are currently out to public consultation, and at this stage, it is thought it will be implemented in 2019, subject to outcomes of an independent examination by a planning inspector.”

Other proposals under the Local Plan include developing community health centres to provide a range of services, require new developments to undertake health impact assessments, and place new developments near local health practices or ask developers to contribute to improving facilities.

The public consultation on the local plan started on Monday and will run for seven weeks.

There are four development options that the council believe could manage population growth while also providing homes, jobs and services that people need:

• Regeneration of brownfield sites including redevelopment of Medway City Estate and Chatham Docks
• Suburban expansion around Rainham, Capstone and Strood and a rural town development on the Hoo Peninsula plus homes in Rainham and Capstone
• A mix of urban regeneration and a rural town
• The development of 3,000 homes with supporting infrastructure at on the former Army site at Lodge Hill by 2035 and after that time, another 2,000 would be built

Cllr Jane Chitty, portfolio holder for planning, economic growth and regulation, said: “The new local plan is set to reflect the hopes and aspirations of local people. We want residents to be proud of where they live and the local plan is key to that, planning for a sustainable, exciting and prosperous future.

This is all about planning for new and enhanced services and facilities, for new schools and roads, opportunities for businesses creating more jobs for the area and developing sites for affordable homes for our growing population.

“With everyone’s input Medway can become an even more valued place to live, work, visit and study.”

The council is obliged by central government to create a local plan to set out how the area will develop up until 2035.

Before a final decision there are many stages of consultation and assessment and, if it is given the go ahead by a planning inspector, it should come into play in 2019.

Visit medway.gov.uk/futuremedway to have your say.