The MP for Thurrock, Jackie Doyle-Price, has given her support to NHS proposals to close Orsett Hospital and move its services to new health centres.

Supporters of the proposal argue that the services will be moved to more modern centres in Purfleet, Tilbury, Grays and Corringham.

Ms Doyle-Price said: “I have to attend Orsett hospital 3 or 4 times a year for one reason or another.  As I have a car it doesn’t cause me difficulty.  Many patients do not have access to a car.  This is a fundamental issue of fairness. 

"I want more people to be able to access health services locally.   The luxury of being able to walk to access treatment shouldn’t just be a right enjoyed by the people of Orsett.  I want to see the same right extended to residents in Grays, Tilbury, Purfleet and Corringham.  

"Not only that they will be using brand new state of the art health centres with hospital serves running alongside GP services.  This will lend itself to better care and better health.

"I appreciate there is a sentimental attachment to Orsett.  But the right place to locate health services in the 1950s is not necessarily the right place to locate in the 21st century. 

"It is simply unarguable that we must locate health services where people live.  As the facilities at Orsett are outdated and much of the building is empty, it is time to move these services and improve our health facilities.

"These proposals have been carefully considered by Basildon Hospital, by the local Clinical commissioners and by NHS England as offering the best way of delivering improved health services. 

"If clinicians and NHS leaders believe this will deliver better services for patients, local political leaders should get behind them.

"I understand that some people will be nervous of change.  But this is change for the better.  We are all of us determined to deliver the quality and quantity of care that the residents of Thurrock deserve.”

Thurrock’s Labour group has launched a campaign against the hospital’s closure.