DARLINGTON MP Jenny Chapman is urging residents to get behind a campaign to save vital hospital services.

Mrs Chapman is giving her backing to Save Our Services (SOS) Darlington which will take to the streets of the town this weekend to protest against a rumoured downgrade of services at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

She made a call for unity saying as many people as possible should join the rally at Pease Monument at 11am on Saturday.

“I would urge people to come along and have their say,” said Ms Chapman. “This is a time for unity and a chance for voices to be heard.

“I know how much we all value our hospital, and we can all remember those crucial moments when we have needed a local service.’’

“Keep your hands of our NHS” is the message that protesters will be pushing at the event, and more information and a chance to sign up to help the campaign will be available from a stall in the Market Place during and after the rally.

The campaign was set up in to response concerns that NHS services at Darlington Memorial Hospital could be downgraded or lost altogether due to an upcoming review on the future of services.

A spokesperson for Darlington SOS said: “We hope that there will be doctors and nurses joining us as well as residents. This is so important and we want to bring as much attention to it as possible.’’

Fears over services have arisen due to a review of health provision being carried out under the Better Health Programme. A consultation is expected to start in November. Health bosses have stressed that no decisions have yet been made.