An MP is calling for people to support the closure of Orsett Hospital.

Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price said she fully supports the closure of the health facility, and its replacement with new centres across Thurrock.

The new centres which will replace Orsett Hospital are not expected to open until 2020-21 and the facility will not shut before that.

The closure is part of the major shake-up of health services in south Essex involving Basildon, Southend and Broomfields hospitals.

Mrs Doyle-Price said: "The decision to close Orsett Hospital and relocate its services to new health centres in the community is one that has been taken by the NHS. It is supported by our local NHS leaders who all believe that this is in the best interest of patients.

"I feel very strongly that clinicians are better placed than I or any other politician to decide what is best for patients. For that reason, I am supporting the decision made by the NHS.

"I understand that many people will be anxious about this decision.

"I cannot emphasise strongly enough that all NHS providers have pledged that they will continue to run their services at Orsett until they are able to relocate them in the new facilities. Until that time Orsett will remain open. Put simply, no new services - no closure.

"The facilities at Orsett no longer meet appropriate clinical standards. I have spent a lot of time there over the last couple of years and it really is time that the people of Thurrock were able to use modern facilities and for staff to work in better conditions."

She added the new centres, in Corringham, Tilbury, Purfleet and Grays, will be a "benefit" to patients.

The MP continued: "By far the biggest item in my post bag is the difficulty residents face when trying to see a GP. It is for that reason that the proposal was made to develop new GP services in medical centres which would also provide for hospital outpatient services. The new services will offer much better local health services than those we currently enjoy.

"It is disappointing that both the Labour Party and the Thurrock Independents are seeking to exploit people’s natural anxieties when good community leaders ought to be trying to reassure the public. We can rely on the NHS to want to do the best for patients and I expect community leaders to get behind these proposals and make them work.

"To fight for the retention of services in a building which is past its sell by date really lacks ambition for our local health services. If we want the best possible services it is time to get behind the NHS and support these proposals."