The group lobbying against the proposal to replace Buller Hospital with a smaller family health centre has vowed to stand in front of the bulldozers if necessary, having exhausted their political options.
About 2000 people turned out on Saturday for a street march through Westport to protest the hospital changes.
The West Coast Hospital Redevelopment Partnership Group, appointed by the Government, proposes replacing the 35-bed hospital with a 10-bed family health centre on a new site across the road. It will be built by ACC and leased back to the West Coast District Health Board.
Two weeks ago, more than 1000 people joined in the 'Hands Around the Hospital' and Saturday's street march doubled that effort.
Protest organiser Phyl Phipps (90) who addressed the crowd on Saturday, said they would now meet and work out what their next step would be.
Momentum had built up from the start, she said, pulling in more and more people.
Those who made the decision on the hospital replacement had still not been to Westport, Mrs Phipps said.
All members of the West Coast Hospital Redevelopment Partnership Group were from the North Island, Nelson and Christchurch.
"That's how ridiculous it is."
- by Laura Mills
