EastEnders star Tameka Empson officially opened a maternity ward at the Whittington Hospital on Wednesday.

The award-winning actress declared the New Murray Ward open following a £650,000 refurbishment that took place earlier this year.

The event carried a particular significance to Empson, who gave birth to a baby girl at the unit in spring 2014.

Ms Empson, who also starred in the hidden-camera comedy sketch show 3 Non-Blondes, said: “I am honoured to officially open the Murray Ward. I had a very challenging pregnancy that meant I was in and out of The Whittington Hospital and on this ward.”

She added: “The staff here are truly amazing, they were really there for me, often going beyond their job description.

“It is lovely to come back and see the changes they have made to this ward, which now looks bright, welcoming and comfortable and I can see the difference it is making to women.”

The ward now features five new rooms with ensuite facilities and 13 other beds in dedicated cubicles in a bid to ensure privacy and dignity for women and their partners.

It forms part of Whittington Hospital’s maternity unit that offers care to women from the very start of their pregnancy through to the birth of their baby.

Chandrima Biswas, consultant obstetrician and clinical director for women and family services said: “These improvements are making a difference to mums, their babies and families, providing better facilities in a fresh new environment.

She added: “The ward’s main focus is supporting people having complications in pregnancy or women who need to be admitted in the early stages of their labour. Having the right environment and the upmost privacy is very important to these women and I’m delighted that we are now providing it.”