HEALTH chiefs have told campaigners they have no plans to close a community hospital.

The assurance came after a petition with over 2,000 signatures was sent to Secretary of State for Health John Reid.

But protesters say they are still concerned about future plans for South Moor Community Hospital and fear it will be shut down.

Campaigner Garry Reed, of Oak Terrace, Stanley, received a letter from County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive John Saxby. It said: "The trust currently has no plans to close South Moor Hospital and we do not have any such proposal in development.

"AlthoughDerwentside Primary Care Trust has plans to consult on a new Stanley Health Centre later this year, the position of this trust is that the future of the patient beds at South Moor does not depend on this consultation. If South Moor were to close this would be the subject of a separate consultation and as stated above, the trust currently has no plans to do so and is not developing any such proposals."

Mr Reed believes there is a covenant on the land that stops it from being used for purposes other than providing health treatment.

Mr Saxby said the hospital has made no attempt to lift the covenant. He said: "The trust's view is that a discussion should only begin about the future use of the land if a decision is made and consulted upon that the hospital should close.

"The covenants will not stop the trust from closing the hospital and moving services elsewhere if it was agreed following consultation.

"However application of the covenants would slow down the process of funding a new use for the land."

Mr Reed started his campaign when Derwentside Primary Care Trust announced its intention to move services for outpatients and those in need of X-rays.

Discussions about closing the building have taken place for years because of the age and condition of the building and equipment.

Mr Reed said: "I don't feel very reassured by what they have said at all because it sounds like he is contradicting himself.

"The closure of South Moor will have a detrimental effect on the hospital at Durham and operations will be cancelled. The community want the hospital and that is clear because of the petition."