A COUNCILLOR is calling on community groups in Teesdale to join forces to secure the future of a hospital and elderly care home.

Councillor John Watson said there was growing concern in Barnard Castle about the future of the Richardson Hospital and Stoneleigh care home, the latter of which looks destined to be demolished.

He is encouraging fellow councillors and community groups to unite and take a more active role in the future of the hospital and care home, which is scheduled to close this autumn.

Coun Watson's call follows news that residents at Stoneleigh face the ordeal of being moved to a temporary home while the building is bulldozed to make way for a new care unit.

The Barnard Castle councillor said many of the residents who lived at Stoneleigh would be left deeply traumatised by the disruption. He was also concerned that the new units might not be suitable for residents who depended on 24-hour care.

Durham County Council has assured staff, relatives and residents of Stoneleigh that it will continue looking for an alternative site to build the care units so that residents will only have to make one move.

Coun Watson is also concerned about the future role of the Richardson Hospital, which no longer provides beds for long-term patients.

Its day care facilities for the elderly and mentally ill elderly are unlikely to be expanded.

The Dales Primary Care Trust, which runs the hospital, is expected to announce changes to its role as a community hospital as part of a Government initiative soon.

Coun Watson said: "They are very important assets for Barnard Castle and Teesdale as a whole, and we have to work together to ensure local groups, the council included, play a strong role in their future.