Save Our NHS campaigners showed their gratitude to health workers while calling on parliamentary candidates to protect the service ahead of the General Election.
Independent campaign group 38 Degrees coordinated the national Save Our NHS day on April 25, which saw thousands of people protesting on high streets across England.
People from Ealing and Acton joined the cause and held a stall outside the Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre to gather support and to collect messages for local NHS workers on a giant 5ft-tall 'thank you' card.
A total of 1,283 people in the area had already signed their petition calling on candidates to do everything they can to save the NHS and 300 more signatures were added on the day.
Locals then delivered the petition to Ealing Central & Acton MP candidates outside the town hall, who were asked to respond to questions on how they would protect the NHS should they be elected.
All candidates were invited and those who attended were: Tom Sharman (Greens), Jon Ball (Liberal Democrats), Rupa Huq (Labour), Jonathan Notley (Independent), Tammy Rendle (Above and Beyond Party), and Scott Dore (Workers Revolutionary Party).
Campaigners then delivered their giant 'thank you NHS' card to around 25 staff members at Ealing Hospital the following Tuesday (April 28).
Local Save our NHS Ealing campaigner Eve Turner gave a speech thanking the hospital staff for their tireless work.
She said: "You all do a fantastic job caring for our community.
"Despite the on-going threats made to close the maternity unit and downgrade the A&E, you have been there for me, my family and our community in times of need.
"On behalf of the local community I want to express our heartfelt thanks."
