THERE has been an overwhelming response to the Kent Messenger’s campaign urging health bosses to rethink proposals which could mean a loss in specialist care at Maidstone Hospital.

Hundreds of readers have already backed our campaign calling for a rethink of plans which could mean the hospital loses services for complicated births, children who need to stay in hospital and people with serious broken bones.

Since we launched a petition last week, the number of signatures is already more than 1,000. Senior editor Bob Dimond said: “This is a truly remarkable response, which shows the depth of feeling among the people of Maidstone against the proposals which amount to a cutback in services for local people.

“We hope the hospital authorities will listen to the emphatic ‘no’ their plans are getting from the public.”

Consultation has been launched into the plans by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, which bosses say will improve services and attract specialist staff.