A COUNCIL meeting to discuss the future of fertility services in Stockton and Hartlepool will be held on Friday (February 5).

The special meeting follows the shock announcement earlier this month, by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, that it is to close its specialised fertility clinic from March.

The clinic, at the University Hospital of Hartlepool, carries out 250 cycles of treatment a year and offers licensed fertility treatment, including IVF.

But the Trust said this month that a failure to recruit specialist embryologists means it will have to stop licensed treatment, although it will continue with other fertility procedures.

This prompted anger from senior Hartlepool councillors who summoned hospital bosses to the Civic Centre to explain the decision.

Councillor Ray Martin-Wells, chair of the Council’s Audit & Governance Committee, said: “In October last year the Hospital Trust made us aware that they were having some staff recruitment difficulties but at no time have they mentioned closing fertility services at Hartlepool.

“I have summoned the Trust to explain this shock decision."

He said members of the committee would be given the chance to put questions to the Hospital Trust representatives, followed by questions from any members of the public.

Patients are being informed about the changes and will be transferred to another unit, either in Middlesbrough, Newcastle or Gateshead.

*The meeting in the Council Chamber at Hartlepool Civic Centre starts at 2.30pm. Doors open at 2pm and seats will be available on a first come, first-serves bases.

For further information, call Hartlepool Council on 01429 524142.