HEALTH bosses have revealed details of how controversial changes to acute services at a North-East hospital will be made this summer.

Some of the most significant changes at Bishop Auckland General Hospital affecting accident and emergency (A&E) services, will be made in two stages – on July 1 and October 1.

The first stage will see the A&E department switch from 24 hours a day operation to a 8am to midnight service.

This means that from that date, seriously ill or seriously injured patients will have to be taken to either Darlington Memorial Hospital or the University Hospital of North Durham, between midnight and 8am.

On October 1, the second stage will be implemented and the A&E department will close.

After the closure, all patients requiring A&E treatment will have to be taken to hospitals in either Darlington or Durham City.

From July 1, an Urgent Care Centre staffed by doctors and nurses alongside A&E will provide a 24 hours a day service to patients with minor injuries or illnesses.

Changes to children’s services will also take effect on July 1.

From this date, seriously ill or injured children in the Bishop Auckland area who need accident and emergency care will have to be taken to either Darlington or Durham City.

The changes follow a decision made two months ago when health officials at NHS County Durham accepted proposals from County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust to centralise acute medical services on two, rather than three hospital sites.

The decision was taken despite the Save Our Hospital group collecting 16,000 signatures opposing the changes.

The spokeswoman said serious illnesses or injuries included heart attacks, strokes, fits, asthma attacks, head, neck and spinal injuries, major bone injuries and road accidents.

For children this also includes breathing difficulties, or where there is a concern that someone is seriously ill.

Dr John Furness, clinical lead for paediatrics at the County Durham trust, said he believed that the changes were needed to provide a safe and effective service for children.

Councillor Anita Savory, who represents Weardale on Durham County Council, said: “The closure of the children’s ward is another blow to people who live in Weardale.

“I got a quote from a taxi firm, which told me it will cost me £80 to do a round trip from Cowshill in upper Weardale to Darlington.”