POLITICAL differences have been put aside by councillors who have vowed to work together to secure services at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

There has been widespread concern among Darlington residents and councillors that the future of services such as A&E and maternity are at risk of moving out of the Memorial as part of the Better Health Programme review.

The review is looking into how healthcare services will be delivered across the Tees Valley and Country Durham in the future, leading to fears that Darlington’s hospital may lose services to Durham and Middlesbrough.

At a meeting of Darlington’s full council, Labour councillor Wendy Newall tabled a motion calling for all members to make it clear to NHS decision-makers how important the Darlington hospital is.

This was seconded by Conservative group leader Cllr Heather Scott.

Cllr Newall told the meeting: “I urge members to support the motion to protect these services, not only for ourselves but also for future generations.”

Councillors applauded Cllr Newall's motion and Cllr Scott added: “I think we have got to let all the people know how strongly we feel about the position of the Memorial.

“It is in a very strategic position to deal with people not only from Darlington but also North Yorkshire and the Dales and part of the Better Health Programme is to suggest that there are three A&E departments in the north of the region.”

Cllr Scott said that she was beginning to get “very cynical” about what was happening with the local NHS Trust, adding: “I think it is very important that we send out that message that we need Darlington A&E to be retained.”

The borough’s MP Jenny Chapman has already launched a campaign to save services at the hospital but the recent transfer of twin births from Darlington to Middlesbrough’s James Cook Hospital did nothing to allay fears that maternity services are at risk.

However, at a health scrutiny committee in early September, Professor Chris Gray, medical director of the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, assured councillors that it was an interim measure following an independent review.

He further reassured members that the Trust’s intention was to save and restore services at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Councillors voted unanimously to support Cllr Newall’s motion.