A MATERNITY ward that prompted a patient revolt when it closed has reopened after 18 months.

Campaigners formed a 'Mums' Army' when South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust closed Guisborough Hospital's maternity unit in November 2002 because of a national shortage of midwives.

But now the unit, where about 130 babies were born each year, has reopened.

The trust has filled more than the 15 full-time vacancies needed to keep it open.

Campaigner Ruth Dickinson said: "It's brilliant news. I would recommend everyone to have their baby at Guisborough, where I had my second child. It was wonderful."

Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said the reopening was concrete evidence that campaigning on the streets could ensure that valuable services were not lost to a community.

"It was obvious that local people were not going to accept the closure of the unit and I was proud to be part of the vigorous campaign," he said.

Carol Murrish, community midwifery co-ordinator for South Tees Hospitals NHS trust, said: "We're delighted to be re-opening the unit and we want it to be a thriving and well-used service for local women."

Coun Valerie Halton, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's health and social services portfolio, said: "I am delighted that the council and the trust have worked closely to work together to get the unit reopened.

"I appeal to people to use the maternity unit with its improved facilities. It is only by full use that we can maintain it."

Meanwhile, patients who attend appointments at Guisborough General Hospital are being advised that many of the clinics held at the annexe site next to the Magistrates Court, which contains the re-opened maternity unit, have moved to the main site on the opposite side of the road.

The following clinics are now held in the Chaloner Ward and are best accessed through the main entrance off Church Lane.

They are: diabetes (Dr Kelly); accident and emergency (Mr Clements); orthopaedics (Mr Hui); ENT (Mr Bosman); back care (Mrs Murray); plastic surgery (Mr Ramanathan); surgery (Mr Viswanath); orthopaedics (Mr McMurtry); rheumatology (Dr Plant.)

Dr Dixon's musculo-skeletal clinic has moved to the day hospital within the main site.

Other services, including maternity, addictive behaviour, travelling day unit, podiatry, family planning and hearing aid clinics, will remain in the annexe site.