CONCERNS over the future of services at Darlington Memorial Hospital are among the items expected to be discussed at the next full meeting of the town’s council.

Members will meet at Darlington Town Hall tomorrow and will be asked to consider a motion tabled by Cllr Wendy Newall urging the council to insist that the Memorial Hospital is not downgraded as part of an ongoing NHS review into healthcare provision.

Since the launch of the Better Health Programme, which will shape how services are delivered across the North-East and Tees Valley in future, there has been continuous speculation over what it might mean for each of the region’s hospitals.

Particular concerns have been raised about Darlington’s hospital by campaigners and the town’s MP Jenny Chapman.

They are worried that the facility may be downgraded and some services moved to bigger hospitals in Middlesbrough and Durham.

Cllr Newall’s motion, which has been seconded by the council’s Conservative group leader Heather Scott, states: “That, in relation to the Better Health Programme’s review of NHS acute services across the Tees Valley and South Durham, members of Darlington Borough Council are gravely concerned about the impact the potential loss of acute services at Darlington Memorial Hospital will have on residents of the borough and the surrounding area in terms of timely access, detrimental effects on health and wellbeing and health outcomes.”

It goes on to say that as the hospital was built by contributions from local people, it is seen as a precious resource that the council wants to protect from any downgrading and loss of essential acute care services.

The motion also calls on the Better Health Programme review to acknowledge the “critical importance” of the Memorial Hospital and ensure that it is named as a preferred option in the forthcoming consultation on the reconfiguration of services.

The Better Health Programme is being led by around 100 senior clinicians, including hospital consultants and GPs.

Public engagement events have been held across Darlington, County Durham and the Tees Valley over the last few months and more dates are expected to be announced for October meetings.

A number of options as to how health services should be shared across the region are expected to be formed by November and a public consultation will then take place before any changes are made.