MORE than 2,000 people have signed Otley MP Greg Mulholland's petition calling for an end to cuts at Wharfedale Hospital.
And almost 700 readers have signed copies of the petition printed in the Wharfedale' over the last three weeks, while hundreds more have signed copies at shops in the town.
A petition form now appears on this website (see below)so that people may fill it in if they wish to add support. Mr Mulholland plans to present the petition to Parliament before the Easter recess.
Mr Mulholland, who launched the petition following a stormy public meeting in January with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust which saw managers apologise for closing a ward without consultation, said yesterday he was delighted with the response.
"The response has been amazing. People in Otley are going around neighbours, friends and family getting signatures and asking for more forms. It shows the strength of feeling there is in the town for Wharfedale Hospital," said Mr Mulholland.
He intends to present the petition to Parliament and also hand a copy to the health trust.
"We have already had a humiliating apology from the trust and a promise that they will never make decisions about cuts again without consultation and we must hold them to that," he said.
Mel Vasey, editor of The Wharfedale Observer, added: "The public's concern about the future of Wharfedale Hospital is reflected in the number of people who have put their names to the petition.
"So many of our readers have taken the trouble to cut out petition forms from the Wharfedale' - and in many cases enlisted support from family, friends and neighbours. This level of support for Mr Mulholland's petition borders on the amazing.
"The weight of public opinion in this matter is extremely important and this week we are publishing the petition form one last time and giving everyone a chance to record their support on our website.
"I would like to thank all those who have responded so far and would urge anyone who wants Otley to keep a bona fide hospital in the town to sign up.
"The more people who sign the petition, the greater the pressure on the Health Minister to prevent further cuts."
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