PLANS to reorganise acute healthcare in the region - including proposals to transfer maternity and children's services - will be discussed at a meeting tomorrow.

Members of Stockton Borough Council will discuss the plans for maternity facilities proposed under a review of health services across Teesside and Hartlepool by Professor Sir Ara Darzi.

Council leader Bob Gibson said the proposals could prove significant for Stockton if facilities were transferred to Hartlepool from the University Hospital of North Tees.

"It's important for us to examine the effects of Professor Darzi's proposals on families and children, particularly those who do not have transport of their own and who would face lengthy and inconvenient public transport journeys to Hartlepool," he said.

"And there is every like- lihood that people living in the south of the borough, in Thornaby, Yarm and Ingleby Barwick, could opt instead to go to The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

"Not only would this add to the current pressures in Middlesbrough, it could also make the unit at Hartlepool non-viable."

He said it was only four years since the maternity facilities at the North Tees hospital had been developed as a Centre of Excellence.

"There is a widespread opinion that Stockton women should be able to continue to have their babies locally, knowing that a consultant-led service is available if they need it," he added.