After just one month, 10,000 Tawa, Porirua and Kapiti people have signed the petition to upgrade Kenepuru hospital to a full secondary facility.

Porirua regional councillor Robert Shaw says Tawa, Porirua City and the Kapiti Coast residents have all responded together to the threat to Kenepuru.

"There has never before been an issue that has united those three communities to the same extent."

He says the petition will send a strong message to the Minister of Health about Capital and Coast Health's plan to downgrade Kenepuru hospital.

Cr Turver hopes the combined Tawa, Porirua and Kapiti total will reach 15,000 by the close off date of 20 September.

The petition is being jointly promoted by Cr Robert Shaw and Cr Chris Turver who are both standing for the Capital & Coast District Health Board to focus public attention on the inequity of the CCH plan.

"Public support shows a clear belief that the Health Board's plan would leave us exposed and vulnerable if we are forced to rely on getting to Newtown", they say.

Cr Turver paid tribute to the small army of collectors and volunteers "who appeared from nowhere to push the petition because they feel so strongly about the issue".

Further information: Councillor Robert Shaw (04) 233 0252

More about Robert: http://robertshaw.freeyellow.com/index.html

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