CONCERNS have been raised by group of health campaigners who fear a community hospital could be facing closure.

The Shotley Bridge Hospital Support Group believes recent changes at the facility could mean ‘a painful and drawn out closure process’ is underway.

The group is calling on people with concerns to contact them and has arranged a meeting to discuss the matter.

Areas of concern include the closure of the staff restaurant, the reduction of beds to 16 and the withdrawal of services from the fifth floor.

Group chairman Marion Ward, a former ward sister at the hospital, said: “These were cost cutting measure taken in haste that did not seem to take in the whole picture.

“We are not interested in isolated comments which tell us there are ‘no closure plans’.

“We want, and the staff deserve, an honest discussion with all parties that outlines the future, is that too much to ask?”

A meeting is being held at the Park Lodge at Blackhill and Consett Park on April 27 at 6pm.

The group has contacted North-West Durham MP Pat Glass who said she would fight any proposals to close the hospital.

Mrs Glass said: “The people of Consett should be in no doubt that I would vehemently fight any proposed closure of Shotley Bridge Hospital.

“I understand the concerns raised by The Shotley Bridge Hospital Support Group who have, over the years, campaigned so effectively to retain as many local health services at Shotley Bridge Hospital as possible. I fully support their campaign and their work.

“It is vital that the site remains well-utilised so it does not slowly degenerate to a point where it could be argued that it is not worth retaining.”

The group has written to County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust with their concerns and Mrs Glass is arranging a meeting.

The trust said the 16 beds left meet the demand for the service needed at the hospital and new technology means the fifth floor is no longer needed by the district nursing service.

A review of the restaurant found it was used by 92 people a day but costs £30,000 to run, so it has been replaced with a daily local sandwich delivery service for staff with snacks to be made available by the Royal Voluntary Service.

A trust spokesman said: “We have no intention of closing Shotley Bridge Hospital, although the building is owned by NHS Property Services and healthcare services are commissioned by local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).

“We would welcome an opportunity to meet members of the Shotley Bridge Hospital Support Group to discuss their concerns.”