It is time to get behind Vernon Hospital.

With the recent collapse of the longplanned project to move our local cancer centre to a new super-hospital at Hatfield, we have a historic opportunity to save cancer services at Mount Vernon Hospital.

Success should safeguard the longterm future of a hospital which enjoys enormous support in the community.

Failure will beg the question: What are the long-term plans for Mount Vernon?

That is why I have launched a new campaign – Support Mount Vernon – which is strictly non-partisan, being supported by John Randall (Uxbridge, Conservative); John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington, Labour), and Gareth Thomas MP (Harrow West, Labour) as well as Hillingdon and Harrow councillors of all political colours. Most importantly,

it is supported by community and patient groups; principally the Community Voice organisation.

My point to the decision makers is this: at Mount Vernon we have got the equipment, we have got the people and we have got the support of the community.

It is the most convenient place for the two million people in the west London cancer network. So if you are looking for the most convenient and affordable solution, look no further.

Ever since it lost its accident and emergency department, Mount Vernon has been messed around by the NHS. Now is the time to secure its future.

This campaign has one simple objective: to send the clearest possible signal to the decision-makers that we want to keep cancer services at Mount Vernon.

You can play your part by going to www.supportmountvernon.com  and signing the online petition and encouraging your friends and neighbours to do the same.

There you can also write your messages of support on our forum for patients and supporters. Every signature increases the volume of our message.

I hope that we can count on your support.