The Special Care Baby Unit at Whiston Hospital on merseyside has recently been subject to temporary closure due to a shortage of staff. We demand that the government of the UK protect the unit from any closures related to staff shortage or spending cuts. The parents and children of Whiston, Prescot, St Helens, Huyton and other areas served by the hospital are entitled to a fully functional Special Care Baby Unit 24 hours a day 7 days a week regardless of cuts to public spending.