HOSPITAL bosses have moved to assure people that breast screening will continue at sites across County Durham after concerns were raised about service changes.

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust transferred a breast cancer clinic at Bishop Auckland Hospital to Darlington saying it would allow patients access to the best equipment.

But more than 900 people, including many from rural and deprived areas, signed a petition about the move fearing it would leave patients with limited access to a vital service.

Durham County Councillors Sam Zair and George Richardson, who represent Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle East respectively, presented the petition to the trust earlier this month.

They said the cost and distance of travelling to Darlington could put some women off attending important appointments.

A trust spokesperson said: “Trust representatives including Chief Executive Sue Jacques and lead breast surgeon Amir Bhatti had a very constructive meeting with Councillors Zair and Richardson.

“We were pleased to be able to reassure the councillors that women invited for breast screening would continue to be seen in mobile units which visit venues across the county.

“Where women were referred to hospital by their GP or following screening, state of the art equipment being installed in Darlington, and already available in Durham, would allow much more complex and accurate tests to be carried out, resulting in better care for women with breast cancer.”