TOWN leaders incensed over uncertainly about the future of their hospital and the continuing downgrading of services are calling for a public meeting.

Northallerton Town Council wants to bring together other councils and concerned groups in a battle for the future of the Friarage Hospital.

It is the latest fightback by a community after Barnard Castle Council joined other groups to oppose cuts at the town's Richardson Hospital, amid rising concern over maternity services at Darlington Memorial.

Over the past five years – since thousands of people marched through Northallerton to preserve maternity services and secure the hospital – supporters say it has been consistently downgraded.

They warn that as well as maternity, A&E has been diluted with no overnight facilities, mental health services are being reviewed with the potential transfer of inpatient services to Bishop Auckland and there is an ongoing crisis over staffing – particularly among anaesthetists.

Mayor of Northallerton Councillor John Forrest said: "There is now unprecedented concern – we are going backwards. It doesn’t seem like the powers that be want to listen to the public.

"Why have we raised all this money in the town for an MRI scanner when they are downgrading everything?”

Cllr Jack Dobson added:”As a veteran of past campaigns which got nowhere, it now needs all councils to work together.

"The slogan should be ‘If you want to save lives, stop cutting services’. Health authorities are carrying out these Sustainability and Transformation plans, but they should be called Slash, Trash and Plunder, because that is effectively what they are doing.

“People are so concerned in Northallerton. There are plans for thousands of new homes on the doorstep and we have the country’s biggest army garrison as a neighbour, yet our hospital and local health services are consistently slashed. It’s disgraceful.

"Our fear is that eventually it’s seen as a cottage hospital or even closed. This is a battle for survival.”

The council is setting up a working party to arrange a public meeting.

Janet Probert, chief officer of Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG said: “Services have been delivered from the Friarage Hospital for many decades.

"As a CCG, we’re absolutely committed to maintaining services on the site. We’re already seeing really positive developments including the Macmillan Cancer Centre, the new MRI scanner and other services including optometry for paediatrics, paediatric speech and language therapy, gastroenterology clinics and audiology.

“The main provider of services, South Tees Hospitals Trust, has shared a number of concerns around sustaining some services on the site and we are working closely with them to understand the implications.

"If we need to propose any changes to services, we will always ensure the public are fully consulted."

Ms Probert urged people to get involved in the mental health review.