HOSPITAL bosses have said lives will be saved as a result of a controversial decision to close one of County Durham’s two hyperacute stroke units.

The decision to support the closure of Darlington Memorial Hospital’s hyperacute stroke unit and make the unit at the University Hospital of North Durham the main treatment centre in County Durham was backed by NHS County Durham and Darlington yesterday.

The decision – taken despite strong opposition from Darlington and a 780-name petition from Darlington Stroke Club – was carried unanimously by the primary care trust (PCT) board.

Last night, Bill Dixon, leader of Darlington Borough Council, refused to rule out a legal challenge.

He said: “I’m annoyed for the people of the borough, as I don’t think they have been given a fair say.”

Coun Dixon said the consultation period should have been extended over the summer.

He added: “The most serious damage has been done to the reputation of the trust. Darlington people are going to feel, ‘What’s next ?’”

Commenting on Twitter, Darlington MP Jenny Chapman said: “Sad, but not surprised that Darlington is to lose its stroke unit. Thin end of the wedge.”

But the decision was welcomed by Durham-based campaigners.

Rosalind Finley, secretary of the County Durham Stroke Club, said: “Durham has better facilities if anything else goes wrong. I’m sure Durham is better equipped for stroke victims.”

The decision came on the same day that North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust announced that hundreds of staff face losing their jobs over the next three years as the trust tries to save £40m.

Yesterday’s PCT board meeting in the Durham Centre, in Belmont, Durham City, heard from Stephen Eames, chief executive of the County Durham and Darlington hospital trust, who said the decision would mean the unit would be able to meet 100 per cent of national stroke guidelines for the treatment of suspected stroke patients, rather than the present 65 per cent, leading to fewer deaths and less disability.

As commissioners, the PCT’s agreement is needed to allow County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust – the organisation that runs NHS hospitals in County Durham – to go ahead with the centralisation plans.

The Government is pressuring the NHS to set up round-the-clock hyperacute stroke units in every region to improve stroke care in the first 72 hours, when suspected stroke patients need to be scanned and seen by a stroke specialist.

Senior doctors and managers at the hospital trust said the two-site stroke service was unviable long-term because of a national shortage of specialists.

It led to recommendations being put out to public consultation by the care trust.

Dr Mike Lavender, chairman of the PCT’s stroke group, said the single hyperacute unit at the Durham site was clearly the best option because it would allow round-the-clock direct access to a dedicated stroke unit, rather than having to admit patients through A&E, which currently happens.

He said: “It will also allow rapid assessment by a specialist stroke physician backed up by all the radiology equipment needed for scans.”

A report produced by the stroke group said Durham City had superior scanning facilities, capacity to expand and could be ready within a few weeks.

Dr Lavender said he was aware that some people in the south of the county were concerned about longer journey times, but said no one should spend longer than 50 minutes in a blue-light ambulance.

He said: “Any increase in journey time would be more than offset by a reduction in delay of around 30 minutes because patients at the new unit would have direct admission to the stroke unit rather than going through A&E.”

Patients will continue to be transferred to Bishop Auckland Hospital for rehabilitation after acute treatment.