More than 6000 people have signed the petition and ''most'' were from within the hospital's catchment area, the chairman of Central Otago Health Services Ltd (COHSL), Russell McGeorge, said yesterday.
The health company runs Dunstan Hospital and the population served by the facility is about 27,000.
The Southern District Health Board (SDHB), which provides 90% of Dunstan's funding, has proposed a 5% funding cut, while the health company is seeking an extra 5%, to cater for the increased population in the area.
COHSL has said it will have to reduce hospital services if its budget is cut.
A series of public meetings held by COHSL, in Alexandra, Cromwell and Wanaka, over the past fortnight to highlight the issue, attracted a total attendance of about 1700.
The petition asked the SDHB to fund Dunstan to maintain current services and to provide for ongoing growth.
When vetting of the signatures was finished next week, the petition would be forwarded to the SDHB and Minister of Health Jonathan Coleman.
''This is a great response ... The SDHB can be in no doubt as to the community support for Dunstan Hospital and its associated community services.''
Most signatures were from locals, but some were from outsiders concerned for relations and friends living in the area.
The health company had no comment at this stage on the progress of its talks with the SDHB about the budget cuts, Mr McGeorge said.
