Tories have accused Liberal Democrats of "scare tactics" for collecting more than 2,000 signatures in a bid to ensure a community hospital stays open.

The criticism comes after Lib Dem parliamentary and council election candidates in Mole Valley handed in a petition against the possible loss of services at Leatherhead Hospital.

Clinical commissioners, who buy healthcare for the area, are carrying out a major review of services at New Epsom and Ewell, Leatherhead, Dorking and Molesey Community Hospitals.

April 9: 1,000-strong petition to save "vital and much-loved" community hospital in Leatherhead

April 13: "What is your ideal community hospital?" - Patients invited to workshop as part of major review amid fears of cuts

Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) says nothing has been ruled out and the review aims to make sure that services meet the needs of patients in the future.

At the weekend local Conservatives slammed the Liberal Democrat petition as "scare tactics" and said the hospital is not actually in danger of closure.

The group posted on its website: "To save a hospital which is not going to be closed and then claim the credit is easy-but a misrepresentation of the facts."

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In response the Liberal Democrats said the hospital is under threat and "experience has taught us that threats to local facilities are often denied by Conservatives before an election only to be confirmed shortly afterwards".

They said: "We are sorry the Conservatives have chosen to attack our campaign, and to make it a political issue, by now claiming there is 'no threat' to services at Leatherhead Hospital."

On Friday Tory County Councillor Tim Hall, who represents Leatherhead and Fetcham East, described the petition as "pure electioneering" and "irrelevant". 

Coun Hall said: "The review is just starting at all community hospitals and is going on in them. [The petition] prejudges the review which is disastrous. It gives the impression it might close."

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Councillor Tim Hall

Lib Dem Mole Valley parliamentary candidate Paul Kennedy said: "We are sorry that the Conservatives have chosen to politicise the community hospitals review by attacking the Liberal Democrats.

"Our concern has at all times been for the residents of Leatherhead and surrounding villages. We started our petition in response to calls for action from residents to secure the future of Leatherhead Hospital, and we are delighted with the overwhelming response we have received from the public."

As part of its consultation with patients, the CCG is holding workshops over coming months to look at existing services and draw up business cases for the future.

Recommendations on what changes could be made to services will be drawn up as part of the review which runs until July.

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Lib Dem Mole Valley parliamentary candidate Paul Kennedy collects signatures

The CCG said: "It was great to hear from so many of you about your "ideal community hospital" during our first round of public workshops for the community hospital services review last week.

"To give you as much notice as possible, we've now pencilled in all of our remaining public workshops, taking place in East Elmbridge, Dorking, Leatherhead and Epsom."

See the Save Leatherhead Hospital petition at http://SignMe.org.uk/1074

Places at workshops are limited. To book your place email usman.nawaz@surreydownsccg.nhs.uk or call 01372 201793.

For more information www.surreydownsccg.nhs.uk/get-informed/our-projects/community-hospital-services/

May: Presentation of mock business cases for community hospitals based on patients’ priorities

• Monday, May 11; 6pm to 8pm; St Andrews Church, Churchgate House, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham

• Tuesday, May 12, 1pm to 3pm; Dorking United Reformed Church, West Street, Dorking

• Wednesday, May 13, 6pm to 8pm; Leatherhead Hospital’s community assessment unit, Leatherhead

• Thursday, May 14, 1pm to 3pm; St Martin of Tours Church, Church Street, Epsom

June: Workshops on current facilities and services offered at community sites

• Monday, June 8, 2pm to 4pm King George's Hall next to Elmbridge Civic Centre, Esher, KT10 9RA

• Tuesday, June 9, 6.30pm to 8.30pm; Dorking United Reformed Church; West Street, Dorking

• Wednesday, June 10, 2pm to 4pm; Leatherhead Hospital’s community assessment unit, Leatherhead

• Thursday, June 11, 6pm to 8pm; St Joseph's Church; St Margaret Drive, Epsom

July: Workshops on the "business case for change" and how to bring provision into line with patients' needs

• Monday, July 13, 6pm to 8pm; Imber Court, Ember Lane, East Molesey

• Tuesday, July 14, 1pm to 3pm; Dorking United Reformed Church, West Street, Dorking

• Wednesday, July 15, 6pm to 8pm; Leatherhead Hospital’s community assessment unit, Leatherhead

• Thursday, July 16; 1pm to 3pm; St Martin of Tours Church, Church Street, Epsom Places are limited.

To book your place, or for more information, please email contactus.surreydownsccg@nhs.net or call 01372 201793.