ONE of three dementia wards across two locations in County Durham will close its doors as part of a move to reduce costs.

Specialist inpatient services will no longer be available at the Bowes Lyon Unit in Durham – meaning people with dementia and their families in County Durham and Darlington will have to travel to Bishop Auckland.

The decision follows a 12-week public consultation into options for the organisation and location of inpatient services which sought to reduce costs but maintain the number of beds.

Dr Neil O’Brien, chief clinical officer at North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “We recognise the impact this will have on some families. We understand the importance of being able to maintain contact with loved ones when they are in hospital and we will do all we can to support those affected by the change.”

Currently Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) provides 30 assessment and treatment beds across three 10-bed wards - one at the Bowes Lyon Unit and two at Auckland Park Hospital in Bishop Auckland.

The local NHS clinical commissioning groups - Darlington CCG, Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield CCG and North Durham CCG - consulted on three options for consolidating beds across two 15-bed wards.

One was to provide separate male and female wards on separate sites and another to provide a mixed sex ward at each site and close one ward at Auckland Park Hospital.

However, the third option to locate both wards, one male and one female, in Bishop Auckland was decided on, resulting in the closure of the Picktree Ward in Durham.

More than 100 people contributed to the consultation which identified two main issues – having locally based services and the benefits of having separate wards for men and women.

Dr O’Brien, representing the three CCGs, added: “We gave all the feedback we received careful consideration and we believe that centralising inpatient beds in Bishop Auckland is the best option for people with dementia. This was also the clinically preferred option.”

Patrick Scott, director of operations for County Durham and Darlington at TEWV, said it had given its commitment to support people who have to travel to visit family members, with flexible visiting times and help with transport and costs.

Inpatient services will move to Bishop Auckland gradually over the next few weeks.