PROTESTORS have crossed the region as part of an eight day march between hospitals to highlight potential cuts to NHS services.

The ‘Footprints’ march saw those taking part walk from Northallerton’s Friarage Hospital to Darlington Memorial Hospital on the Saturday, using the Teesdale Way on the last section of the route.

Carrying placards and banners, the marchers paused in front of Darlington’s Joseph Pease statue and also held a rally at the town’s Friends Meeting House, in Skinnergate.

On Sunday they set off early from the memorial hospital, passing through Newton Aycliffe and Shildon, with their destination Bishop Auckland Hospital.

The 20-30 strong group, who were joined by representatives from the union Unite, received cash donations to the cause from some members of the public. Many passing motorists also beeped their horns in support.

The march continues over the half-term holiday taking in Shotley Bridge Hospital, the University Hospital of North Durham, Hartlepool Hospital, the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and the University Hospital of North Tees, before returning to Darlington.

Critics claim that under sustainability and transformation plans for the NHS, local health chiefs are required to carry out “savage cuts” to access new funds, leaving some areas dangerously isolated.

The group 999 Call for the NHS said documents it had seen showed that “at least two or three” local A&E departments would shut in the region, while in order to eliminate its large deficit a maternity unit operated by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust could also close with other consultant-led maternity and paediatric services also disappearing.

Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman, who spoke to the marchers, warned that in fact one hospital could close.

She said: “I met with local NHS managers on Friday and I am shocked that they now seem intent on closing at least one of our hospitals.

“They have now put the consultation back until June. This is clearly driven by a Tory cuts agenda as the Government has said our area must save £500 million.”

One of the organisers, Jo Land, who plans to walk all 110 miles, said: “We are trying to bring communities together to fight for their services.

“Hospitals are already quite far apart and if you cut services you are looking at someone in the Yorkshire Dales having to drive 60 miles to A&E.”

Durham County Councillor John Clare, who joined the march at Newton Aycliffe, said: “My wife is very poorly and we spend a lot of time between Bishop Auckland and Darlington hospitals.

“We need to keep up the pressure to save Darlington’s A&E, the worry will still be there until I hear that it is safe.”

A NHS spokeswoman said proposed changes in the region were about “providing care of a consistently high standard and in the right place at the right time” and involved decision making by experienced clinical staff.

She said: “They believe that people with serious or life threatening needs should be treated in specialist centres with the very best expertise and facilities.

“This will maximise chances of survival and a good recovery – even if it means going past the nearest hospital.

“Programme leaders and clinicians have stressed that no decisions have been made and they are keen to hear the views of patients and the public.”