NEVER underestimate the power of the rumour mill. That's a message clearly taken to heart by the managers responsible for providing services at Northallerton's Friarage Hospital.
If you believed the rumours, the Friarage has been on the point of imminent closure ever since the South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust took over the old Northallerton NHS Trust in 2002. These rumours have persisted despite the obvious building work underway at the Friarage, replacing some of the wartime hut accommodation.
At a special press briefing held last week, the South Tees trust's senior managers and doctors attempted to quell the rumours by stating unequivocally that the Friarage's future as a district general hospital offering the main clinical services was safe.
Yes, some patients will have to travel to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough for certain very specialised treatments. But they will be very few in number and, in any case, the Friarage has never provided all the specialities.
Yes, maintaining some services because of the difficulties recruiting senior medical staff will be difficult, but the South Tees trust has given its pledge and it should be given the chance to live up to it.
One thing came across very clearly at the briefing last week. South Tees managers understand the strength of local feeling about the Friarage. A force to be reckoned with indeed.
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