HASLEMERE residents are being asked to add their names to a massive petition, in a bid to save the town's hospital beds from the PCT's axe.

Campaigners are hoping to collect a 12,000-strong petition, with shoppers having the chance to sign the petition today (Friday) outside Somerfield between 9 am and 6 pm, or outside Tesco, on Sunday between 10 am and 1 pm.

This week, the president of the Chamber of Trade, Arya Ingvorsen, has been distributing petitions to all chamber members. Petitions are being placed in the Haslemere Hospital reception, Bells, Haslewey, Boots and Lloyds TSB. 

Campaigners are distributing petitions to doctors' surgeries in Fernhurst and Liphook. Meanwhile in Chiddingfold, they are being taken to various pensioner, church, and other clubs. 

Five options for the future of all of Waverley's hospitals are being considered by the primary care trust (PCT) with three of these options involving the bed closures in Haslemere.

The Haslemere League of Friends is leading the campaign to save the hospital beds and last week, its chairman, Dr Nicky Lee, met MP Jeremy Hunt to join forces for the fight.

"We discussed how Haslemere residents made their views, that we wanted to retain our local beds, clear in a bed- march protest and a 12,000 signature petition," she said.

"We also demonstrated the somewhat obvious point that closing community beds does not save money as they cost less to operate than the acute hospital ones, which become blocked by patients who are not fit to return home.

"With much government hype about patient-led services and patient choice, it seems remarkable that we are being consulted about the same issue only five years later. 

"Despite the government agreeing that services should be delivered as close as practicable to the patient, the options being discussed would involve so-called community beds being moved to distant sites at either Milford or Farnham.  

"Bizarrely, the site at Farnham is actually further away from Haslemere than our local acute hospital at Guildford. Neither site is accessible by public transport.

"Under 'Choose and Book' patients are being offered a selection of five hospitals where they can 'choose' to have their operation. What the government does not mention is that when it comes to recovering after the operation, you will no longer being able to move to the hospital of your choice closer to home because they will have been closed.  

"Is this really the choice that patients wanted?"

Dr Lee also criticised the trust's assurances that patients, who would otherwise have been treated in the axed beds, will receive extra help at home.

"The PCT claims that patients currently cared for in hospital can be cared for at home by district nurses and care staff calling in from time to time," she said.  

"This policy, known as "Don't Care in the Community" by local consultants, was discredited as a mental health policy when it was shown to result in reduced care and a burden on families and carers.

"Local GPs have expressed serious doubts, given recruitment problems, that sufficient community staff exist and closure of local nursing homes already causes local difficulty."

Dr Lee urged Haslemere residents to have their say on the proposals before the end of the consultation period, which runs until February 28.

"Haslemere League of Friends would ask that local residents write to the PCT copying their letters to their local MP and the health secretary, confirming their opposition to these plans and making the case for community beds in Haslemere," she said.

"Any personal examples of care received at Haslemere or difficulties accessing other sites would be especially valuable."

• Comments on the plans should be sent to Modernising Your Local Healthcare Consultation, Guildford and Waverley Primary Care Trust, Broadmede House, Farnham Business Park, Weydon Lane, Farnham, GU9 SQT.

The PCT's five options:

One: Closure of Milford Hospital and reprovision of 42 rehabilitation beds to Farnham and other services to other hospitals. Overall reduction of beds from 172 to 139 with all beds in Cranleigh to close. Day hospitals in Haslemere, Farnham and Guildford. Diagnostic and outpatient services at Haslemere, Godalming, Farnham, Cranleigh and Guildford.

Two: Closure of Milford Hospital and reprovision of 42 rehabilitation beds to the Royal Surrey and other services to other hospitals. Overall reduction of beds from 172 to 140 with all beds at Haslemere and Cranleigh to close. Day hospitals in Haslemere, Farnham and Guildford. Diagnostic and outpatient services at Haslemere, Godalming, Farnham, Cranleigh and Guildford.

Three: Closure of Milford Hospital and reprovision of 42 rehabilitation beds to the Royal Surrey and Farnham and other services to other hospitals. Overall reduction of beds from 172 to 139 with in Cranleigh to close. Day hospitals in Haslemere, Farnham and Guildford. Diagnostic and outpatient services at Haslemere, Godalming, Farnham, Cranleigh and Guildford.

Four: Closure of Milford Hospital and reprovision of 42 rehabilitation beds to the Royal Surrey and Farnham and other services to other hospitals. Reduction of beds from 172 to 137 with all beds at Haslemere to close. Day hospitals in Haslemere, Farnham and Guildford. Diagnostic and outpatient services at Haslemere, Godalming, Farnham, Cranleigh and Guildford.

Five: Specialist rehabilitation services and beds split between Milford and Farnham hospitals. Overall reduction of beds from 172 to 139 with all beds at Haslemere and Cranleigh to close. Day hospitals at Milford, Farnham and Guildford. Diagnostic and outpatient services at Haslemere, Milford, Farnham, Cranleigh and Guildford.