Support for the campaign to improve services at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone has doubled over the past week.

The total number of petition signatures and letters of support has passed 600 – up more than 100% from the amount at the same time last week.

Organisers hope the campaign will now go from strength to strength.

The Express last week revealed the WI-led campaign from branches across Shepway calling on the NHS to bring back dozens of services lost at the Radnor Park Avenue hospital.

The campaign – which is backed by the Folkestone & Hythe Express – is focused on seeing services increased to at least the level available at the new Buckland Hospital in Dover.

Research carried out by the WI suggests the Royal Victoria has fewest facilities of all hospitals in east Kent.

"We want the whole community to take part. We don’t want it sinking without trace." Jill Bexon, campaign co-ordinator with Cheriton WI

Campaigners say an improved Royal Victoria will mean Shepway residents will no longer have to travel across the county for hospital appointments. Some are forced to travel to hospitals in Margate, Canterbury or Maidstone.

A document is being prepared to find out the main services residents would like to see reintroduced at the RVH. At the top of the list is more scan units and X-ray facilities, along with a minor surgery unit.

Jill Bexon, secretary of the Cheriton WI, said: “We don’t want it sinking without trace.

“It’s going extremely well and we want the whole community to take part. We don’t want people to think it’s just us.

“We’re the engine that started it going and they seem to be responding, thank goodness.

“We’re getting more signatures. People are showing a great deal of interest.”

A “mini-meeting” was due to be held by members today (Wednesday) to continue to discuss the progress and they were hopeful of collecting another batch of responses.

MP Damian Collins spoke of his support for the campaign in last week’s Express but now Mrs Bexon has called on him to take action.

She added: “He can’t not do anything now, having seen the spread in the paper, and we want to spur him to take some action sooner rather than later.

“But he’s had a lot on his plate with Stack – it’s just a gentle reminder.”

Here’s how you can help:

• Send letters of support to the campaign suggesting what services you would like to see brought back. We will compile and deliver them in partnership with the WI.
• Write to ‘Upgrade our Hospital campaign’, Folkestone & Hythe Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, Kent, TN24 8JR or email folkestoneexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk
• email Jill Bexon on kennethbexon@sky.com for a petition form