A GOVERNMENT minister will intervene over possible cuts in services at a North-East hospital.

Health Minister Jacqui Smith is to meet Stockton North MP Frank Cook to discuss the possible closure of the North Tees orthopaedic services, which would force patients to travel from Stockton to Hartlepool for treatment.

Mr Cook will object to the proposals and will raise concerns over the future of North Tees, including problems such as a shortage in consultants and complaints he has received from nurses about being forced to pay big increases for their lodgings.

Mr Cook said: "What I find particularly unacceptable is that the Trust management, who should be open and accountable to the public, and their elected representatives, have only come clean about their plans as a result of a leak to the media. That is no way to run a vital public service."

He has also requested meetings with the chief executive of the Tees health authority and the local primary care trust.

Bryan Hanson, chairman of North Tees and Hartlepool Trust, said that it was stated publicly in February that the Trust was looking at options to improve patient care, which included improving waiting times. He said: "We would like to reassure Mr Cook that we do not have any secret plans as there are no proposals yet to change any services.

"We are very upset to hear that Mr Cook has concerns over the future of the hospital as the Trust has always been committed to it. I hope the Health Minister will be able to allay Mr Cook's fears."

He said that there was not a particular problem in North Tees for recruiting consultants.