Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit to Whipps Cross Hospital, a prominent MP has written to him to press for the need to modernise it.

Last week, angry parent and Labour activist Omar Salem claimed there were not enough doctors and nurses at Whipps Cross University Hospital as he tackled the Prime Minister.

The hospital’s chief executive later admitting services had been under pressure because of an “unexpected emergency”.

In an official letter to the PM, dated September 18, Iain Duncan Smith MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, talks about facilities on the site, which “Date back to the 1900s and are in dire need of replacement”.

The MP also talks of his long-standing campaign to bring the hospital in line with modern standards, and his joining with the community to fight against plans to close it in the past.

In a separate statement on the issue, Mr Smith said: “As many of you know I campaigned hard in the past, firstly to stop Labour closing the hospital back in 2008, and since then I’ve been campaigning cross party with both the Whipps Cross team and Waltham Forest Council for funds to support the redevelopment of our hospital. This is and always should be above party lines.

“Earlier this year I raised this at Prime Minister’s Question Time with Theresa May and organised a visit with Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

“Whipps Cross Hospital is in dire need of regeneration, with many of the buildings being over 100 years-old. It is essential that Bart’s Trust receives government funding and support to ensure that this can go ahead and that the hospital can be brought into the modern age.”

The letter comes as the NHS invites the public to a meeting about the redevelopment on Tuesday, October 15.

If you are interested in the issue, or would like to attend, visit: www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/future-whipps.