MPs take fight to save Kingston Hospital to Downing Street (From Your Local Guardian)

MPs take fight to save Kingston Hospital to Downing Street

10:41am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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The MPs leading a campaign to save Kingston Hospital handed over a 15,000 signature petition to “send a strong, clear message” to the Government.

Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park, and Edward Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton, launched a pre-emptive campaign to save Kingston Hospital after they revealed NHS bosses told them the accident and emergency and maternity units were under threat.

And documentation leaked to the pair has revealed a genuine threat - with closure options among many being considered.

Ms Kramer and Mr Davey were joined by Twickenham MP Vince Cable - along with campaigner Shas Sheehan and Adam and Francesca Woodhouse whose baby Isobel was born two months ago at the under threat hospital - at Downing Street on yesterday.

They handed in the petition calling for any plans to shut A&E and maternity services at Kingston to be abandoned.

Ms Kramer said: “We want to send a strong, clear message to the Labour Government that we will defend our local hospital, and fight these cuts all the way.”

Dr Cable added: "16 of the 18 scenarios being considered involve a scaling back of popular, well used, facilities at Kingston. It is vital that local people make their opposition heard in this way."

The MPs are holding a public meeting at the Hawker Centre, Lower Ham Road, Kingston, at 7.30pm next Monday to discuss the issue further.

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