 Campaigners say the reasons behind closure are financial |
Campaigners trying to save a hospital from closure have delivered a petition bearing 10,000 signatures of support to Downing Street. Walnuttree Hospital in Sudbury - a former Victorian workhouse - is a 68-bed unit which provides special care for the elderly.
Suffolk West Primary Care Trust says it does not meet basic fire regulations.
On Wednesday staff, families and patients presented copies to the Health Secretary and the Prime Minister.
�4.6m in debt
Michael Mitchell, with the Hands Off Our Hospital campaign, said: "Most of the people that we tend to care for can't make it to West Suffolk, their families can't make it to West Suffolk, so it is very important to Sudbury and the surrounding area."
He told BBC News he believes the reasons behind closure are not totally down to fire risk but West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust's foundation status.
"They are �4.6m in debt and getting rid of the Walnuttree Hospital will clear that debt, " he said.
Chris Bown, chief executive of West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust said: "It's never been an issue of cost cutting, it's an issue of patient safety.
"Indeed, in the short term, costs may increase to manage this situation, so its certainly nothing to do with cost cutting."
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