ONCE again we read that the Durham and Darlington NHS hospitals are going to spend millions on extending their A&E departments (Echo, Feb 26).

Why are they doing this when there is an A&E closed down nearby at Bishop Auckland hospital? If the two other hospitals cannot cope why not reopen Bishop Auckland A&E?

Anyone who has an accident right outside Bishop Auckland hospital has to be taken to Durham or Darlington. Where is the sense in this? A stroke victim up in the dales, say in Stanhope or Wolsingham, has to travel to the two hospitals with A&E passing a hospital just half the distance of the other two. Where is the MP for Bishop Auckland? She should be standing up for the area. Or was this hospital just built to sell to the private sector.

Reopen the A&E at Bishop Auckland and save lives and money.

Alan Todd, Byers Green.