LABOUR has repeated the call for cross-party support for its campaign to protect services at Croydon University Hospital.
Closing the trust's A&E and maternity units is the least preferred of three options being considered by a controversial review of healthcare in south west London.
Croydon North MP Steve Reed believes closure is a genuine possibility and says he wants to ensure the hospital is not seen as an "easy target".
However, he has failed to secure the support of Conservative Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell who described the campaign as "misleading".
The former Lambeth Council leader said it was time for the Tories to put aside party politics.
He said: "Labour is doing what we can to make sure Croydon residents are aware of the threat to local hospital services, but why aren't our Conservative MPs using their influence and supporting the campaign for Croydon?
"Epsom is part of the same NHS review, and their Tory MP is actively campaigning for his local hospital.
"It increasingly seems Croydon's Tories have taken a Trappist vow of silence because they have put party politics before the interests of local people."
Sarah Jones, Labour's prospective Parliamentary candidate in Croydon Central, added: "We will not take our eyes off the ball when it comes to ensuring the voice of Croydon residents are heard by NHS decision makers. I urge the Croydon Conservatives to join our campaign.
"St Helier has a strong public campaign against closures and we cannot afford to be complacent.
"Our focus is on protecting and improving the services we have here in Croydon and making sure the voice of Croydon's residents is heard."
While the Better Services, Better Value review includes the option for closing key departments at the hospital, the more likely outcome is a £75 million revamp of its A&E and maternity departments.
