Hospital A&E decision criticised

Campaigners are worried patients will have to travel further

Darlington council has been criticised for backing the closure of a hospital accident and emergency department.

Campaigner Clive Auld, of the Save Our Hospital group, accused the council of "forgetting about the needs and welfare of the Bishop Auckland people".

It has backed plans to move the unit from Bishop Auckland General Hospital to Darlington Memorial Hospital as well as invest £30m in local healthcare.

But campaigners say lives will be put at risk if the closure is approved.

Mr Auld said: "Lives will be put at risk if our local accident and emergency department is forced to close.

"The trust and Darlington Borough Council are not listening to the local people."

Centre of excellence

The trust maintains a consultation process is ongoing.

A council spokeswoman said they were backing proposals to move the accident and emergency department to Darlington Memorial Hospital as well as an investment of £30m into local healthcare.

Under this plan Bishop Auckland General Hospital would receive a rehabilitation centre of excellence, which would be a completely new service for the area.

Council leader John Williams said: "Leaving hospital services as they are is not an option. The Trust has to look at the services now and make a decision about how they can be maintained and improved."

Almost 15,000 people have signed a petition calling on health bosses to retain the casualty unit at Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

Campaigners have handed the petition to 10 Downing Street and are hoping to organise a meeting with a health minister to express their concerns.