NEXT week, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will try to force plans through Parliament which will give him new power to close any hospital in England – even if local patients and doctors are totally against it.

It is feared that if the law passes, no hospital will be safe.

Clause 19 of the Care Bill, more popularly known as the Hospital Closure Clause, if passed, will put hospitals at risk of closure without their agreement, without proper consultation with clinical staff, patients and the public and without the agreement of the new GP commissioners.

One of the UK's largest campaigning communities, 38 Degrees, say: "No government should have the power to close any hospital without listening to local people.

"Hospitals are there for us when we need them most – please don't let the government take them away."

A petition has been started by 38 Degrees, asking David Cameron and Nick Clegg to drop the Hospital Closure Clause from the Care Bill.

Public support is needed to help prevent this Bill from being passed.

If you would like to sign the petition it can be found at: hhtps//secure.38degrees.org.uk/hands-off-our-hospital .

Nora Parminter