The Alliance is challenging political parties to say what they will do with Thames Hospital.

"The future of the Thames hospital is shaping up to be the biggest election issue in the area. It is crucially important that all other parties to say whether it will stay open, what level of services it will provide and how they will pay for it," Alliance Health Spokesperson Phillida Bunkle said.

"I am delighted that Mr Jack Gunner, the organiser of the save Thames petition has endorsed the Alliance hospital plan as the only one that will deliver.

"We pledge that if the Alliance gets enough party list votes from people in places like the Coromandel then we will be able to deliver this credible plan for a proper general hospital for Thames.

"The Alliance has already fronted up and said what it wants in Thames. The Alliance will make sure that Thames is kept open and will increase services. We will fund this by abolishing the wasteful Health Funding Authority and the ridiculous health funding marketplace created by National," Phillida Bunkle said.

"I challenge all political parties to say where they stand on Thames hospital.

"They must answer three questions so that voters can be sure where they stand.

"Firstly will Thames hospital stay open? Secondly what level of services will it provide? and Thirdly how will this be paid for?

"Mr Jack Gunner's petition to save Thames hospital is gathering steam. If people in the Coromandel really want to save their hospital they have this election to do it.

"At present only the Alliance hospital plans shows clearly where we stand and how it can be achieved. It is about time the other political parties made their positions clear as well," Phillida Bunkle said.

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