THE future of a hospital will be discussed at two forthcoming public meetings.

Doctors and managers from the Friarage in Northallerton, will explain the work being done to sustain services at the hospital.

The meetings in Northallerton and Hawes have been arranged by South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust and Hambleton and Richmondshire PCT after concern that national changes to the NHS were affecting the Friarage.

The changes include a national shortage of some specialist doctors, leading to difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff, junior doctors working fewer hours and a growing tendency for patients with complex needs to be seen in more specialist units.

Simon Kirk, chief executive of Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust, said: "There has been concern expressed locally about the future of the Friarage and the public information meetings are giving us an opportunity to respond.

"We need to explain how we are trying to work around the problems, and to stress that doctors and managers are working very hard to make sure that local people continue to get a comprehensive range of services at the Friarage."

The meetings will be held on Thursday, May 26, at 7pm at Hawes Primary School, and on Thursday, June 9, at 7pm, at Hambleton Forum, Northallerton.