MP Charlie Elphicke has appealed to the people of Deal to attend a public meeting on Friday to show support to secure the future of the town’s hospital.

Originally planned to take place at the Town Hall, it will now be at St George’s Church, High Street.

Mr Elphicke said: “People are so passionate about the future of the hospital and want to safeguard its services. It’s time to let health chiefs know how much we care about Deal Hospital.

“Deal Town Hall can only seat 100, The church can take up to 400.”

The Tory MP made the decision after being overwhelmed with the response from his Deal Hospital survey, delivered to about 12,000 homes. It invited people to the public meeting and asked for views on the services the hospital should provide.

He was prompted to organise the questionnaire after his visit to Deal Hospital’s fete this month when he talked to people about their fears for the site’s future.

The worries became public after a leaked email to the Mercury stated that “the downside of the new Dover hospital would be the effect on Deal Hospital”.

Mr Elphicke added: “Many people who answered the questionnaire were not interested in politics, but in safeguarding their community services."

Dr Darren Cocker, clinical chairman of NHS South Kent Coast Clinical Commission Group, will attend the meeting on September 30, which starts at 7pm.

* For full story see the East Kent Mercury, August 29.