THE Government has intervened in the growing row about the future of a North-East hospital.

Campaigners fear that proposed changes to health services on Teesside will lead to the closure of the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

After a public rally against closure in Hartlepool and increasingly acrimonious exchanges between rival candidates for the forthcoming by-election, the Department of Health has stepped in.

John Bacon, group director of the Health and Social Services Delivery unit of the department, has written to Ken Jarrold, chief executive of the County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority.

In his letter, Mr Bacon states: "I would now like you to undertake further work to see how the fullest possible range of services can be maintained in Hartlepool, including, for example, maintaining accident and emergency services and consultant-led maternity provision."

To assist the health authority, the department has asked eminent surgeon Professor Ara Darzi to provide independent advice on the future of hospital services.

Prof Darzi has already played a role in shaping the future of North-East health services.

His proposals to encourage closer working relationships between the University Hospital of North Durham and Bishop Auckland General Hospital, known as The Darzi Plan, form the basis of recent changes to hospital services in County Durham.

But some Hartlepool residents are concerned that Prof Darzi's conclusions have led to the downgrading of Bishop Auckland hospital and the transfer of many acute services to Durham or Darlington Memorial Hospital.

One of the proposals contained in the current Tees health review envisages transferring emergency surgery and trauma services, consultant-led maternity services and inpatient children's services from Hartlepool to the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton.

Health bosses argue that changes are inevitable because of the shortage of doctors, reduction in medical working hours and a demand by the royal colleges that work should increasingly be done by specialists.

Mr Jarrold said: "We look forward to working with Prof Darzi to review the proposals emerging from the Tees services review.

"Everyone in the local NHS is committed to maintaining the fullest possible range of services in Hartlepool. We understand the great importance of responding to public concern by reviewing the proposals."