NHS managers have assured campaigners that a hospital considered for closure in a review will remain open for at least seven years.
About 10,000 people have signed a petition against closure of the University Hospital of Hartlepool. The campaign was launched after it emerged that having one hospital site for North Tees, rather than two was being considered.
However, a statement by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust made clear there were no plans to close either Hartlepool's hospital or the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, in the near future.
Campaigner John Bloom, 37, said: "Our petition says we don't want any closure or reduction of services at any stage."
The Strategic Health Authority has three options: keeping services as they are, reorganising services so one hospital focuses on emergencies and one on planned care, and a single site providing all care.
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