Call to voice fears over NHS plans

11:01am Thursday 28th August 2008

A COUNCILLOR fighting cutbacks at his local hospital is urging residents to voice their feelings to an NHS trust board meeting.

Bishop Auckland councillor Sam Zair, one of the main movers of the town's Save Our Hospital campaign, is appealing to supporters to show their concern by turning up at the next meeting of County Durham Primary Care Trust, on Tuesday, September 2.

The town's Labour MP, Helen Goodman, has already urged people to attend a public meeting about the threat at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, on Wednesday, September 17.

But Coun Zair, who represents the Liberal Democrats on Durham County Council, believes that will be too late.

"I think people need to go to County Durham Primary Care Trust's board meeting on September 2.

"People want to get involved before a decision is taken, not afterwards," said Coun Zair, who said he has been inundated with calls after the proposals were revealed in The Advertiser's sister paper, The Northern Echo, last week.

The primary care trust is expected to consider a number of options being considered by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

The acute trust, which runs general hospitals in Bishop Auckland, Darlington and Durham City, is undertaking a review of services.

At least one option involves closing the accident and emergency unit at Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

"If the trust decides to close the A&E department the proposal is to replace it with a minor injuries unit and a daytime only medical assessment unit.

This would be part of a reorganisation of services, which could see the removal of round-the-clock acute medical services from Bishop Auckland General Hospital altogether.

The Bishop Auckland site would then be mainly used for outpatient appointments and routine, planned surgery.

David Gallagher, director of corporate strategies, services and relations with County Durham Primary Care Trust, said: "We will be looking at a number of recommendations on September 2. If the board supports them they should go out to public consultation and we will then arrange a series of public meetings.

People will then have ample opportunity to comment before any decision is taken."

Coun Zair has requested anyone planning to attend the 1pm PCT meeting, at Ramside Hall Hotel, to call him on (01388) 602559 or email him at s.zair@sky.com