A WARD at a community hospital is being closed after health bosses revealed problems with the water supply were putting patients at risk.

But campaigners who want to safeguard the services fear it is part of a long term strategy to close Shotley Bridge Hospital, near Consett, in County Durham, completely.

It is believed fears surround leaks from an ageing water tank knocking out the electricity supply to 1960’s building.

The Northern Echo understands hospital chiefs fear it would take too long to evacuate the 16 bed inpatient ward, and are taking no new admissions from this weekend.

Sue Jacques, chief executive at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is not a decision which has been taken lightly.

“As the provider of services in the hospital, we have a duty to ensure we can provide safe services for our patients and to the highest standards.

“We also have a responsibility to provide a safe working environment for staff.”

The risk was identified by NHS Property Services and over the next month patients are being relocated to alternative community hospitals and care homes.

There will be a full assessment of the extent of the issue so future options can be considered.

A spokesman for NHS Property Services, said: “We consider it essential that all parties are aware of the increasing level of risk and can make their own necessary plans for business continuity and service delivery.

“All health partners are working together on options and contingency plans for managing the situation.”

In April, The Shotley Bridge Hospital Support Group said it believed a slow closure process had begun with a reduction in the number of beds, the closure of the staff canteen and the withdrawal of services from the fifth floor.

Group spokesman Kevin Earley said: “It seems very convenient that housebuilding on the site is coming to an end and has been successful so they will want more land to build on.

“But there is still an awful lot of people use the hospital and there is no plan for more services in the area.

“It would be a disaster if the one place in County Durham that is growing in terms of population was left without a hospital. We wont take this lying down.”