CAMPAIGNERS against the potential privatisation of two Merseyside hospitals were today preparing to hand over a 33,000 strong petition to Downing Street.

The document – protesting against plans for a private company to run Whiston and St Helens hospitals – was set to be presented to Number 10 tomorrow.

MPs including Dave Watts and George Howarth will be present along with campaigners from the SWASH group (Save Whiston and St Helens Hospitals) and union members.

St Helens MP Mr Watts said: “This hand over is part of an ongoing debate to resolve funding problems at the hospitals and the consideration of private involvement.

“That matter is still ongoing as far as we are concerned.

“Having private management will mean a different ethos, of profit over care.

“Costly but essential departments like elderly care could be sidelined in favour of more profitable areas.”

The Daily Post revealed in April that an option was mooted in a leaked government document to partly run the hospitals by a private company.

The £300m Whiston Hospital is a new build, constructed with private finance initiative (PFI) funds.