SOUTHEND Hospital’s new pregnancy unit has been praised by a health minister.

Dr Dan Poulter, who specialises in obstetrics and gynaecology, officially opened the hospital’s new early pregnancy unit after first seeing the building work take place in July.

He said: “I was amazed to see how quickly the unit had got up and running since my previous visit, which is largely due to the obvious passion and commitment of the excellent team of staff there.”

The new facility provides an area where women experiencing problems with their pregnancy can be scanned, assessed, and if necessary, receive counselling.

The counselling room has been named after Marion Bull, a nurse who died last year.

Marion’s family have donated £1,400 to provide additional comforts and personal touches to the area in her memory.

A gynaecological assessment room retains the name of consultant Dr Philip Hagan, who died in 2008.

Dr Poulter was joined on the visit by Southend West MP, David Amess, and Southend clinical commissioning group clinical chief officer, Paul Husselbee.

He also paid a visit to the Elizabeth Loury oncology ward, which has recently undergone a £140,000 refurbishment, and completed the visit at the acute stroke unit.

Dr Poulter said: “I have been extremely impressed by everything I have seen on my two visits to Southend Hospital.

“There is a really positive and warm atmosphere and staff are clearly highly committed to patient care.”