HOSPITAL bosses have assured Hartlepool councillors that there is no plan to consolidate hospital services in the area at North Tees.

Following a meeting between the leaders of Hartlepool Borough Council and the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust a joint statement was issued.

In the statement council officials said they had been an assurance that the trust has no plans to have “a single-site operation” at the University Hospital of North Tees.

The meeting was called because of uncertainty about the future of the remaining hospital services in Hartlepool and the decision by trust officials to put the proposed new Wynyard Hospital project on hold until after the next general election.

The joint statement said “a new world-class hospital” is still the priority for the trust and officials wished to develop a plan that will keep services close to home.

Trust officials said they intend to use the next six months “to engage with the public on what Hartlepool health services could look like for the future.”

Hartlepool Borough Council will be holding a public meeting on Monday November 24 at the Town Hall Theatre, Raby Road, Hartlepool to discuss the future of health services in the town, including urgent care.

Both the chief executive and chairman of the North Tees and Hartlepool Trust have agreed to attend the meeting, which will begin at 5pm.