A County Durham MP has taken the fight to save a hospital ward to Parliament as controversial plans to close it before Christmas spark growing concern.
Bishop Auckland MP Sam Rushworth has vowed to oppose the proposed closure of Ward 7, the specialist frailty unit at Bishop Auckland Hospital, warning that the move could have serious consequences for patients, families and NHS staff.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) wants to transfer the service to Darlington Memorial Hospital before Christmas, claiming it would improve care for vulnerable older patients.
But the plans have already sparked fierce opposition from unions, councillors and residents, with campaigners branding the proposal "another nail in the coffin" for Bishop Auckland Hospital.
Bishop Auckland Hospital (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Now, Mr Rushworth has revealed he has held urgent talks with nurses, union officials and senior NHS bosses before raising the issue in Parliament yesterday (Tuesday, October 20).
The Labour MP said he remains firmly opposed to the closure and wants ministers to help challenge the trust to explore alternatives.
He said: "I have told the NHS Trust leadership that while I appreciate and respect their aims, I oppose the closure of Ward 7 and want to explore alternatives that support their goals without taking this service away from Bishop Auckland."
Mr Rushworth visited Ward 7 earlier this month to speak directly with frontline staff before meeting the trust's chief medical officer and chief executive.
He said he had also met nurses and union representatives just 24 hours after first learning of the proposals.
Despite acknowledging the trust's reasons for wanting to move the service, the MP has raised a series of concerns about what the closure could mean for the hospital.
Sam Rushworth MP raising the issue in Parliament (Image: SAM RUSHWORTH MP)
He warned that the move would break up an experienced team of nurses, physiotherapists and healthcare workers who have spent years working together.
Some staff do not drive, while others could face significantly longer journeys to work without compensation, he said.
Mr Rushworth said: "At Bishop Auckland, a dedicated team of physiotherapists, nurses, and health workers have worked together for years and developed strong, experience-based, shared practice.
"The new NHS Trust plans would break up this team, re-employing nurses at different hospitals around the area and losing their collective experience."
The MP also fears patients and their families could be left facing longer and more difficult journeys.
Bishop Auckland Hospital (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
He said at least a third of patients currently on Ward 7 come from the Bishop Auckland area, while families travelling from Teesdale and Weardale could face additional difficulties visiting loved ones.
Mr Rushworth argued that moving rehabilitation services away from communities appeared to contradict the Government's ambition to make greater use of community hospitals.
However, the trust insists the changes would improve outcomes for frail older patients.
The trust also believes the move could help cut waiting times at Darlington Memorial Hospital's busy A&E department by allowing suitable patients to be admitted directly to the frailty ward.
"Key to this is having the right specialists available 24/7 on both of our acute sites to assess, treat and support older people to recover and return home quickly."
Bishop Auckland MP, Sam Rushworth (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
He added: "These changes are not something people should fear. This is about improving how the NHS works to provide more care in the right place, in the right way."
The trust has maintained that there will be no planned redundancies and that Bishop Auckland Hospital will retain other step-down, rehabilitation and frailty services.
The GMB union has pledged to fight the closure, previously describing it as a "deeply flawed and dangerous proposition".
A union spokesperson warned: "It would not only threaten patient safety and jobs and lead to increased bed blocking, but would put the entire hospital at risk."
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Former Bishop Auckland mayor Councillor Sam Zair has also criticised the plans, accusing the trust of showing "disregard" for patients and staff.
Mr Rushworth is now encouraging residents to sign the GMB petition, which has garnered over 2500 signatures, against the closure and make their views known while consultation continues.
He said: "The proposals are still in a consultation phase and the opinion of local hospital staff and the public should be heard and taken seriously."
The MP said he would seek a meeting with a government minister to raise the concerns of staff and residents and push for alternatives to closing Ward 7.
The trust wants the relocated service operating in Darlington by Christmas, with an evaluation planned for spring.