"The banners are still here Daniel" and "Keep Epsom Hospital in Epsom" proclaimed the placards being waved at a protest by campaigners and politicians this morning.
Labour parliamentary candidate Sheila Carlson and her colleagues from the GMB trade union joined Conservative campaigners, Liberal Democrats, Green party parliamentary candidate Susan McGrath, Independent candidates Lionel Blackman and Gareth Harfoot and UKIP’s parliamentary hopeful Robert Leach at a rally outside Epsom Hospital.
A drum attracted the attention of drivers on Dorking Road who beeped their horns, and banners - including those bearing the logo of the Epsom Guardian’s Protect Epsom Hospital campaign - got thumbs-ups from passers-by.
The protest came a day after a secret proposal to shut Epsom and St Helier hospitals and replace them with an 800-bed super site was leaked.
Yesterday: Jeremy Hunt - Tories would block 800-bed "super hospital" to replace Epsom and St Helier
Yesterday: "Disgraceful" - Epsom reacts to hospital closure leak
Three weeks ago, Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of the hospitals, told this newspaper "people don’t have to worry about putting out the placards" because accident and emergency (A&E), maternity and children’s services would be safe on both sites for the next five years.
Ms Carlson, a GMB officer, said: "It was a good event.
"We were getting lots of thumbs-up and beeps, including from ambulance drivers, many of whom are GMB members."
She said that despite her attempts to keep politics out of the protest, many in attendance got out their party rosettes as the event got underway.
"I didn’t want to see a sea of political rosettes so I left mine in the car because I felt it was a community event and didn’t feel it was necessary to wear them," Ms Carlson said.
"But the Liberal Democrats turned up wearing them so we all decided to."
Ms Carlson said she was surprised not to see Chris Grayling, standing for re-election as Epsom’s Conservative MP, at the rally.
She said: "Chris Grayling will constantly say how he has saved the hospital and championed what was happening only a few weeks ago.
"But this morning he failed to be there because he was busy up north.
"I have cancelled plans to be here.
"Robert Leach was also meant to be at the UKIP manifesto launch but felt this was important to the local community."
Ahead of the gathering, Mr Grayling said he would not be able to attend but his team would.
Conservative Epsom council candidate and health campaigner Jane Race said: “The event went really well. I was delighted to see so many people supporting our local hospital. The hospital I was born in.
"This sends a clear message to the powers that be that we won’t tolerate losing our services.
"Well done to the Epsom Guardian for organising this event."
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