HEALTH officials have today announced they have withdrawn proposals to close two hospital wards due to unprecedented demand for inpatient beds.

NHS Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield, NHS Darlington and NHS North Durham Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have taken the decision to withdraw proposals for both Ward-6 in-patient rehabilitation services and stroke rehabilitation at Bishop Auckland Hospital.

The consultations, which proposed moving stroke rehabilitation services from Bishop Auckland to the University Hospital of North Durham and re-purposing Ward-6 as a dedicated rehabilitation facility for patients, cease with immediate effect.

Dr Neil O’Brien, accountable officer for the CCGs, said: “Despite the clinical proposals presented for both Ward 6 and stroke rehabilitation being valid, the level of service demand has far exceeded expectations and these need to be taken into account.

“We have further reviewed the demand and complexity of patients and as a result a decision has been made to withdraw the proposals.

“Due to unprecedented pressure being placed on the system in recent months, we felt that the proposed model of care would not be deliverable at this time.”

The move comes after seeking public views on both stroke rehabilitation and Ward-6 inpatient rehabilitation, during the initial consultation period which restarted on January 14 following the need to pause in November 2019 due to the general election.

The town's new MP Dehenna Davison described the decision as a “victory for the local community” which was also welcomed by North West Durham MP Richard Holden.

She said: "Since my first day as an MP, I have been campaigning hard alongside Ric Holden MP to stop services from being removed from Bishop Auckland Hospital. The strength of feeling from the local community has been great, and I have been delighted to work alongside them to secure this victory for the local community.

"Ric and I are grateful to the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary for taking such quick action on this matter. On the first day since the UK’s exit from the European Union, the Government is already sticking to their election promise to improve NHS services, proving that this new Conservative Government is committed to delivering for people here in County Durham."

Mr Holden said: "This is a great victory for residents in Weardale and Teesdale. I’m delighted to have worked closely with Dehenna on her campaign. It shows the effect campaigning Conservative MPs, working together locally can have."

The Northern Echo:

At her first Prime Minister’s Questions, Ms Davison asked Boris Johnson about the stroke unit proposals in the House of Commons and met the Health Secretary Matt Hancock, above, several times to share residents’ concerns.

Mr Hancock credited Ms Davison's "immense campaigning", adding: "I’m delighted North Durham CCG are cancelling proposals to relocate stroke rehabilitation out of Bishop Auckland and changes to Ward 6 inpatient rehabilitation services. This is in large part down to the immense campaigning of the new Bishop Auckland MP, Dehenna Davison.

"Having only been in post a few weeks, Dehenna has already been a huge voice for the interests of Bishop Auckland, lobbying me endlessly about her concerns over these consultations and the need to ensure Bishop Auckland has the health services it needs for the future.

"I have been thoroughly impressed, and know she will continue to be a strong voice for Bishop Auckland."

The Northern Echo:

Hospital campaigners at County Hall in Durham in November 2018

Dr O'Brien added: "The CCGs listened very carefully to public opinion during the early consultation period and we, alongside County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust, are fully committed to the long term future of BAH.

"There is agreement that additional therapy support is required for both stroke rehabilitation and Ward-6. Significant improvements are being made to the community element of the stroke pathway and we are committed to further investment in hospital based services.

"Specifically there will be dedicated therapy provision made for stroke services on both BAH and UHND sites and in addition resources will be made available on Ward-6 for an enhanced level of therapy."

A CCG spokesperson said the local NHS will continue to review services across County Durham and Darlington to ensure high quality services are available to all, whilst ensuring where possible care is delivered close to home.