A HEALTH campaigner who spearheaded the fight for improved hospital services in Altrincham has died.

Pat Morris passed away at Woodend Nursing Home in Altrincham this morning, nine months after being told she was terminally ill with a brain tumour.

Her husband David, who cared for her tirelessly during her illness, arrived at the home five minutes after her death.

He said: "Maybe she planned it that way - she said she did not want me there when she died. She passed away peacefully."

Earlier this year, the historic Court Leet granted the Freedom of Altrincham to Pat, in recognition of her unstinting efforts to improve health services in the town.

The Court Leet's Denise Laver said: "She was a fantastic inspiration to the whole community and a credit to Altrincham.

"She was a wonderful lady."

Despite her condition, 68-year-old former nurse Pat continued to work from home and later the nursing home to press health chiefs to deliver on their promises of a new general hospital in Altrincham.

The health trust kept her in the picture, arranging for her to be briefed on the firms that are vying to develop the new hospital which, if all goes to plan, could open in 2012.

Pat's battle for health services in the town intensified in 2003 when she resigned her job as a nurse at Altrincham General in protest over a ward closure.

Pat told Messenger just last Monday that she was compelled to act when an elderly patient asked her "Are they throwing us out?"

She said: "That broke my heart."

She called a public meeting at Altrincham Leisure Centre and was staggered at the response when around 300 turned up - and believed that sent a message to health bosses.

She said: "If people had not turned up the health trust would just have said she organises things, no-one turns up and she is no danger."

In 2006 she won a High Court battle over Trafford Healthcare Trust's decision to close two rehabilitation wards for the elderly at Altrincham General, with health bosses ordered to carry out a public consultation on the issue.

If she had lost the case, she would have been landed with massive costs, and may have had to sell her house to cover the cost.

Despite a new consultation, health bosses refused to reopen the beds the following year.

But Pat's supporters say if Altrincham does finally get a new hospital, that will be a fitting tribute to her.

The BBC's Inside Out programme has made a programme about Pat's battles to safeguard health services in Altrincham, which is due to be screened next month.

Leave your tributes to Pat below.