NEARLY 1,000 people have signed a petition against the closure of Lewisham Hospital's A&E in the space of just one day.

Lewisham East MP Heidi Alexander organised the online petition after administrators for the South London Healthcare Trust announced their draft proposals yesterday (Oct 29).

The plans would see the hospital no longer providing emergency care, only taking non-complex cases instead.

Supporters have branded the plan "despicable" and "sheer lunacy" online, while signatory Edith Speller wrote: "Punishing the residents of Lewisham for problems in other NHS trusts is crazy.

"As shown with the new proposals for Queen Mary Sidcup, losing an A&E can be the first step to winding down a hospital entirely.

"With a growing population already suffering from health inequalities, Lewisham cannot afford to lose such vital services."

There have been 975 signatures on the petition so far. To sign up, visit the website.

A period of consultation on the recommendations begins on Friday and ends on December 13. Public meetings are planned and responses can also be made online at tsa.nhs.uk, emailed to tsaconsultation@nhs.net or by calling 0808 129 5719.