Local Campaigners (l-r) Chris Ward, Steve Freeman, Cllr Tony Phillips & Sue Doughty

We are taking a leading role in campaigning against any closure or "downgrading" of the Royal Surrey County Hospital. Local Campaigner Chris Ward has, along with two other independent students of Guildford who are studying elsewhere, led the online presence against cuts to this excellent and needed service. This was done through the much-used Facebook system - so if you use it, register your support by joining the Save The Royal Surrey group!

The local Lib Dems held a public meeting with the then Shadow Health Minister Steve Webb MP. Both Steve, Parliamentary Spokesperson Sue Doughty, and Unison representative Nick Mariarty took part in a debate with many local residents, a lot of whom recounted their personal experiences in using the RSCH, and what may have been the unfortunate consequence for them had the hospital not been there.

Chris Ward and Cllr Tony Phillips also attended the opening of the new wing of the St Luke's Cancer Centre. The new machines that had recently been installed would have to be discarded if the hospital were to close, as transporting such equipment to a different location is impractical from a cost factor.

Over the past week, Local Campaigner Chris Ward has been visiting campus accommodation and getting students to sign the petition against RSCH closure. Previously at the public meeting, he constributed to the debate on behalf of the many students who live in Onslow, particularly on the campus. He pointed out that now the students no longer have a 24 hour health centre, the loss of services at the hospital would be even more devastating.