Huge response to Kingston Hospital campaign

7.37.38pm GMT Sat 6th Feb 2010

[Jan 30] Susan Kramer writes: "THANKS to everyone who has joined the Kingston Hospital campaign over the last few days. Nearly 4000 people have already signed the petition and over 6500 joined the Facebook group . .

. . We are facing a real threat to our local Maternity and Accident and Emergency services. The plans are part of a London-wide review of acute hospitals. In North East London, a similar review has left services at Whittington and North Middlesex Hospital under threat. There is no doubt that our area is next.

Edward Davey MP and I have been told face to face, by four NHS chief executives and one senior clinician, at four separate meetings that this proposal is being actively considered. The proposals for hospitals in South West London were due to be published on 18th December and then January 25th. NHS bosses then took the outrageous decision to keep these plans secret from you until after the general election.

I believe our community has the right to know about this threat to our local hospital, and that is why Edward and I decided to blow the whistle on the plans now.I cannot express strongly enough how vital it is that we all stand together in this campaign, and show how important A&E and Maternity at Kingston are to us. Edward and I had hoped that the campaign to save the A&E and Maternity services and could be a cross-party campaign. Disappointingly the Conservatives seem to be seeking to undermine the campaign and are choosing to play petty party politics with the issue. But it is not too late for them to come on board. I want to assure you that this will not shake the strength of our campaign. I believe that the future of our local NHS is more important than party politics. Please do help us keep up the fight by signing the petition online at the link below, joining the Facebook group and passing on to as many people as possible."