The hospital was one of 29 across the country at which accident and emergency and maternity wards were identified by the Tories' central research unit as being at risk.

Despite criticism of scaremongering for political gain, Chris White, the prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for Warwick and Leamington, was standing by the party line.

He said he believed government policy and Warwick's proximity to larger hospital sites meant there was a "potential threat".

On Tuesday, the Tories tied its findings in with a Sheffield University report which suggested lives would be lost by plans to replace some A&E units with a smaller number of specialist trauma centres.

But this categorisation of the Lakin Road site came as news to the hospital's management.

Though a current commissioning strategy review is underway, looking at health spending across the county, South Warwickshire General Hospitals Trust chief executive Glen Burley was quick to reassure patients.

He said: "The focus is firmly on developing and expanding services at Warwick. Indeed, our strategy is to expand maternity services and retain accident and emergency. We can assure residents there are no plans to take these services away."

Threats to maternity and A&E at Warwick carry a particular resonance following the huge public campaign to save such facilities during a review of 'acute services' last year. Trust patients' forum chairman Val Davis called David Cameron's list "Tories at play", adding that as far as she knew there was no current issue.

Others went further, with sitting MP James Plaskitt (Lab) demanding Mr Cameron apologise directly to the constituency for a "political stunt". He added: "This shows he has no regard for staff and patients. He is giving rise to unfounded fears.

"Warwick Hospital services are secure, as are its finances. It is actually expanding and it is time the Tories stopped trying to undermine morale."

He called upon Conservative candidates to reject the campaign and apologise.

But contrition was not forthcoming from Mr White, a Warwick District councillor and leisure and amenities portfolio holder.

After praising the "fantastic services" offered by staff at Lakin Road, he said: "The list is the list and the details are all there.