A PETITION has handed in at the House of Commons against a raft of proposed health cuts in part of the North-East.

Tom Blenkinsop, the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP, delivered the 700-strong protest against plans that he says will hit residents’ health.

The Labour MP said the proposals would close Park End clinic and minor injuries units at East Cleveland Hospital and Guisborough Hospitals.

The petition is also a protest against the decision of South Tees clinical commissioning group (CCG) to close Skelton’s NHS walk-in centre.

Mr Blenkinsop said: “The response to the petitions so far has been staggering. It goes to show just how much people care about their local health services.

“Losing these services will radically reduce patient choice for East Cleveland and Middlesbrough residents, risks adversely affecting health of residents, and threatens to increase the pressure on already stretched A&E services.

“I urge Tory Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, NHS England and South Tees CCG to act to abandon and reverse plans.”