It is a pleasure to have a fellow Essex Member in the Chair, Madam Deputy Speaker. I welcome my hon. Friend the Minister and acknowledge support from neighbouring constituencies. St Peter’s Hospital, established since the NHS's inception, faces significant structural issues due to its age and condition, impacting service delivery despite staff dedication. The hospital needs either refurbishment or relocation but funding constraints have delayed progress. Recent consultations propose permanent closure of in-patient beds and birthing unit with out-patient services potentially relocated elsewhere. Constituents are overwhelmingly opposed, viewing the consultation as a formality. Maldon district’s growing population necessitates more NHS facilities rather than closures. The maternity unit's importance is underscored by declining birth rates reported last year due to staffing issues but historically supported over 300 births annually. Out-patient services are vital for thousands of patients and must remain uninterrupted in Maldon until alternatives are established, maintaining easy access given the dispersed geography.