CANCER campaigners have backed a petition to save a North-East haematology ward.

Allison White, founder of Great Aycliffe Cancer Support in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is urging people to support a campaign to prevent the closure of the eight-bedroom ward at the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust plans to phase out the ward by November due to an ongoing struggle to recruit consultants.

The ward provides a place for patients with malignant and non-malignant blood diseases to stay when receiving treatment that requires a spell in hospital.

The day unit will remain open but patients that require more intensive treatments will be sent to other North-East hospitals.

More than 4,000 people have signed a petition against the closure.

Ms White, 37, credits the ward with saving her life after she was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukaemia in 2009.

Six months into her treatment, she suffered a near fatal setback and spent several weeks in the ward.

She said: “Everyone was so kind and and friendly, always asking if I wanted a cup of tea and stopping to have a chat. This means so much when you are going through something like that.”

Patricia Greensmith, of the Chyrelle Addams Cancer Trust in Willington, has also promoted the petition on Facebook.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is in discussions with nearby hospitals to ensure patients with the most serious haematological conditions can be admitted to hospitals close to home.

Dr David Emerton, medical director, said “strenuous efforts” had been made to recruit staff but there was a shortage of skilled consultants.

To sign the petition, visit you.38degrees.org.uk and search for ‘haematology ward’.