AN MP last night demanded answers about the future of services at a North-East hospital amid persistent rumours that departments are to be downgraded.

Jenny Chapman called on Trust chiefs to make a public statement about their plans for Darlington Memorial Hospital to end the uncertainly.

Ms Chapman said she had heard from staff in different departments suggesting meetings had recently taken place about the possibility of downgrading the A&E, intensive care and maternity units at the hospital. But she said other sources had told her that was not the case.

The Northern Echo was also contacted by a member of staff who claimed he had been told that the A&E department was to close.

But last night a spokeswoman for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said she was unaware of any such plans.

Ms Chapman said she is seeking an urgent meeting with hospital managers.

She said: "It's unfair on the community, but mostly it's unfair on the staff to leave them in this position because they don't know about the future of the services and they're worried about their jobs.

"I think it's an unacceptable situation. I appreciate the Trust may have a process to go through before it wants to make an official statement, but it is not right to take this long. I think what we need is some clearer information from the organisations involved about what is going to happen."

And she added: "The uncertainty is damaging public confidence, it's damaging staff morale and it's having an effect on recruitment and retention of staff and we just need some clarity so we know what the position is.

"The problem is that I don't know how much of this is accurate. I'm left not knowing what to believe."