MP delivers record-breaking number of petitions (From Witney Gazette)

MP delivers record-breaking number of petitions

9:00am Wednesday 5th April 2006 in Witney By Rosalind Miles

THE rallying cry of 'save our community hospitals' could be heard as far away as the House of Commons as a record-breaking number of protest petitions were handed over.

More than 1,000 people from all over the UK gathered outside the House of Commons on March 28, as 45 petitions were delivered by Conservative Witney MP David Cameron, Liberal Democrat health spokesman Steve Webb. and shadow secretary of state for health Andrew Lansley.

The petitions, collected by campaigners from around the country, were submitted in recognition of the vital role played by community hospitals in providing community care.

The previous records for the most petitions given to the House over one issue is 29, in 1985.

Mr Cameron said: "I was delighted to present a petition on behalf of Chipping Norton Hospital, and hope that by breaking the record the Government will listen to the will of thousands of people across the country. Chipping Norton is a vital and valued resource, and should not face cutbacks in response to the short-term PCT deficit.

"The recent Health White Paper promised care close to home, yet the PCT is still pushing ahead with cuts and closures to the very hospitals that provide it."

"I was delighted to present a petition on behalf of Chipping Norton Hospital, and hope that by breaking the record the Government will listen to the will of thousands of people across the country. Chipping Norton is a vital and valued resource, and should not face cutbacks in response to the short-term PCT deficit."

David Cameron MP

Clive Hill, of the Chipping Norton Hospital Action Group, attended the rally.

He said: "These petitions show how widespread feeling is. It's a nationwide issue. At Chipping Norton, we have been promised we will get a new hospital, so we are a little bit further down the track than some of them at the rally but we need to make sure we don't lose existing services."

Richard Leader, from the Moorview Action Group, said: "I think the rally and petitions show what people want. People choose to be treated locally, and the Government should listen. Moorview is run very efficiently, it is a model for the way the mentally ill are treated.

"There will be more elderly people than ever in the future, and community hospitals are vital for them and their carers."