Campaigners fighting to keep major services at Crawley Hospital are to meet Health Secretary Alan Milburn on Tuesday.
Representatives from Crawley Borough Council, Crawley Hospital Campaign, Mid Downs Community Health Council, Crawley Pensioners' Action Group and from voluntary organisations will meet Mr Milburn.
The talks have been arranged by Crawley MP Laura Moffatt who has asked the minister to hold back further downgrading of the hospital until an Independent Review Group has made recommendations on the future development of health services for the area.
She has told him the transfer of maternity services from Crawley Hospital to East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, caused immeasurable upset to Crawley people.
She reluctantly accepted the transfer of this service on the grounds of patient safety, a case which was strongly put to her by the consultants and nursing staff at Crawley Hospital.
She added: "What I do not accept at this time is that the same case, on patient safety grounds, has been made for the transfer of acute, complex and emergency medical and surgical services.
"You know too that the Independent Review Group is just beginning its work. It seems to me that to be contemplating moving any further services before this group has made its recommendations is ridiculous."
The Crawley MP wants Mr Milburn to put on hold plans to remove any further services until the recommendations of the review group have been properly considered.
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