The people of Bishop Auckland have reacted to a fresh bid to reopen the town’s A&E after 13 years.

Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davison has this week (August 10) launched a petition to reopen the A&E department at the town’s hospital after 13 years.

The Conservative MP has promised to fight for the reopening of the A&E since her election in 2019, but doubled down on her promise on Wednesday saying it “absolutely needs to be brought back”.

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Davison was joined by a small crowd of supporters for the campaign with some passing motorists sounding their horns as a sign of support.

One passer-by, Mrs Haytouf, told The Northern Echo: “It would make a massive difference if it was to reopen, there’s too many of us around the doors who have illnesses and travelling to Darlington is too far.

“My neighbour the other week had to come down here and wait overnight before she could go to Darlington.”

The Northern Echo: Mrs Haytouf is supporting the bid to reopen the hospital. Picture: DANIEL HORDONMrs Haytouf is supporting the bid to reopen the hospital. Picture: DANIEL HORDON

Phil Davids, 63, said: “It’d be great for the town. I never got why they closed it in the first place when Durham and Darlington are such a way away.”

Another supporter of the campaign, Sue Elliott from Coundon, said: “When I had an episode where I passed out unconscious my husband had to get me in the car and take me all the way to Darlington.

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“This would be a five-minute drive instead of a 25-minute drive – it’d make a massive difference.”

The Northern Echo: Sue Elliott is also supporting the campaign. Picture: DANIEL HORDONSue Elliott is also supporting the campaign. Picture: DANIEL HORDON

The A&E was closed in 2009 following a clinical review into services at the Country Durham and Darlington NHS Trust after it was found there was insufficient clinical staff and essential support services required to support the department at the hospital.

Launching the petition Dehenna Davison told The Northern Echo: “We know that local people want to see this delivered, today we are launching our petition, and I’m going to do everything I can to bring this A&E back to Bishop Auckland.”

The petition is currently open to signatories and will be presented to the Integrated Care Board at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on September 15.

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