Protests over A&E closure plans

Staff are worried patients will have to travel further

Hospital staff in County Durham, who claim a casualty unit is under threat, are staging a protest.

Health workers at Bishop Auckland Hospital believe that patients' health will be put at risk if the A&E department is shut.

But Stephen Eames, the chief executive of Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust, said no decisions had been made and the drive was to improve services.

Unison members were protesting outside the hospital on Tuesday.

Ian Daley, spokesman for Unison, said: "There is a serious threat to the accident and emergency unit.

"It would mean people would have to travel to Durham and Darlington.

"We are very concerned that this will lead to problems for the region's health.

Public consultation

"This will increase travelling times in emergencies and we have fears for patients."

But Mr Eames said no decisions would be made before a widespread consultation.

He said: "We have been doing a review of all our services across all our hospitals in Durham and Darlington for the last nine months.

"There are no firm proposals on the table and all concerns will be discussed during a public consultation.

"Bishop Auckland Hospital currently only provides a partial service, all major trauma and surgical emergencies already go to Durham and Darlington.

"The whole thrust of our review is to improve patient care."