A Major opportunity for St Helier Hospital: Burstow

11.03.49am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 15th Mar 2007

The campaign to save St Helier hospital picked up pace today, with the announcement that Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, has written to former Conservative Prime Minister John Major calling on him to pledge his support for the campaign.

A report from a leading New Labour think-tank suggests two hospitals in South-West London are likely to close. Sutton's Lib Dem MPs, Tom Brake and Paul Burstow are concerned that St Helier is a prime target and have invited John Major, who was born at St Helier Hospital, to join them to discuss the ongoing campaign with representatives from the Primary Care Trust and Epsom and St Helier University NHS Trust.

Tom Brake said:

"This is an opportunity for St Helier's most famous son to lend his support to the campaign and help put something back into St Helier. I sincerely hope Mr Major will put political affiliations to one side for the greater good of the hospital."

Local residents, many of whom were born at the hospital, have been vocal in their support for the Save Our St Helier (SOS) campaign with thousands signing the petition.

Paul Burstow added:

"Like John Major and many local residents, I was born at St Helier Hospital. I hope that Mr Major feels as strongly as I do about the future of the Hospital and that he will accept our invitation to meet with local health bosses."