THERE are fears that plans to close a North-East stroke unit could lead to the loss of highly-experienced specialist nurses, it was claimed last night.

Yesterday, The Northern Echo revealed controversial plans to axe a newly-opened stroke unit at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Nurses on the eight-bed unit – transferred to Darlington from Bishop Auckland Hospital only in September – were told of the closure proposals on Sunday.

One nurse, who asked not to identified, said: “Many nurses and auxilliary nurses who have moved from Bishop Auckland have been told they have to move again or lose their jobs. They feel used and lost.

“Many of these nurses, with more than 20 years experience together as a team, will be lost to the stroke care in this area.”

The closure of the Darlington unit would mean that all patients in County Durham who have had a suspected stroke would have to travel to the stroke unit at The University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, for treatment.

The Government wants to see all hospital trusts develop 24-hour a day acute stroke services, which can treat patients within hours of them having their stroke.

About ten per cent of patients who have a suspected stroke might benefit from clot-busting drugs, but a stroke specialist is needed to identify the right patient.

The proposals to centralise acute stroke care were brought forward because one of four specialist stroke doctors from the County Durham service is due to leave the area next month.

Hospital bosses believe the only way to provide a 24-hour service is to concentrate staff and facilities at the Durham unit, increasing the number of beds from 20 to 28.

The plan has been criticised as “intolerable” by Jenny Chapman, the Labour candidate hoping to succeed Alan Milburn as Darlington’s next MP.

Last night, Councillor Chapman, who represents Cockerton West on Darlington Borough Council, confirmed that she is due to hold talks with the chief executive of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, Stephen Eames.

She is concerned that hundreds of mostly elderly patients and their relatives will have to travel further for treatment.

The trust said that no final decision has been taken about the unit, but in the event of a move, no jobs would be lost.