DEMONSTRATORS are to highlight a series of fears over health issues outside a hospital this morning.

Campaigners who fought to prevent the transfer of services from the Duchess of Kent Military Hospital, Catterick Garrison, to Northallerton's Friarage Hospital say they will stage a placard demonstration over the issue.

The protest outside Richmond's Friary Hospital, due to begin at 11am, will ask what happens when the Ministry of Defence contract with the Friarage ends and more than 100 military staff move on.

The demonstration is also expected to question the future of the Northallerton Health Services Trust in the wake of the Richard Neale hearing.

The protest will take place ahead of a Richmond Central Parish Forum public meeting at the Friary tonight.

Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Group (PCG) will host the first half of the meeting, with key issues up for discussions including the Colburn surgery, local community care services and future allocation of NHS funds.

The PCG will also give a brief overview of its first year and outline health priorities for the next two years.