It’s hard to find a local hospital in Britain that’s as much loved as the Whittington, and that is in part because so many in our Borough have their own personal connection to its maternity and neonatal unit, having been born there, given birth there, or both.

So, it’s important that Islington residents know that a big decision is soon to be made about the future of that unit, with two options currently on the table for people to have their say about.

Option A, which I’m pleased is the preferred option, is for the Whittington maternity and neonatal unit to be expanded, with improved, specialist services and more investment. I’m glad that our local NHS Board appears to have listened to all those who have made clear that is what they want to see.

The fact that this is the preferred option shows once again how vital it is for people in Islington to raise their voices when local services are under threat, to back up the eternal vigilance and relentless hard work of local campaigners and Labour councillors.

Nevertheless, I remain deeply concerned – as we all should be – that Option B is to close the Whittington Maternity Unit, with services transferred elsewhere. So, I am afraid that until that option is completely off the table, this fight is not over, and I would urge every constituent with a stake in the Whittington maternity unit – whether past, present, or future – to have their say in the consultation before the deadline on 17 March.

Last week, I was delighted to attend a parliamentary event hosted by my great friend Catherine West, Labour MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, about maternity and neonatal services in North London. At that event I was able to tell local NHS leaders on behalf of the constituents of Islington South and Finsbury why we believe so strongly that keeping the Whittington Maternity Unit open is the right choice for our community and indeed could be so much better with more investment.

It was striking to hear at that event that over 70 per cent of pregnancies in North Central London are assessed as moderate to high risk. That’s why we need midwife-led maternity services backed up by the very best specialist neonatal care for mothers and babies under the same roof in Islington.

The well-being of our community, especially its expecting families, relies on the existence of the maternity unit and the care it provides. So please rest assured that I will continue to use my voice as your MP to urge our local NHS Integrated Care Board to save the Whittington Maternity Unit.

To have your say in the consultation, or to find out more about the proposed changes to local NHS maternity and neonatal services, go to https://nclhealthandcare.org.uk/get-involved/start-well-2/