WORK to repair a hospital ward where patients were deemed to be at risk is expected to be complete this month.

It is hoped the 16-bed inpatient ward at Shotley Bridge Hospital closed last year due to problems with the water supply could soon be reopen.

Durham County Councillor Owen Temple said he had been assured it would be, but a spokesman for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said all options would be considered once the work is complete.

People were moved over fears a leaking water tank could cause a power cut and would take a long time to evacuate.

It led to concern among campaigners that it would lead to the overall closure of the hospital.

Coun Temple said trust chief executive Sue Jacques told him the ward was reopening when he asked a direct question at the health scrutiny committee at County Hall in Durham on Friday morning.

He said: “She said she has been told by NHS Property Services that the remedial works in the tower block on the water supply will be completed by the end of January so they should be able to move back to reopen the ward in February.

“If the ward reopens in February it is an optimistic sign for us.

“It will be a big load off the minds of local people.”

Pat Glass, MP for north-west Durham, who is also campaigning to protect the hospital also gave a cautious welcome to the news.

A trust spokesman said: “We are hopeful that the work will be completed by the end of January and options for reopening the ward are being considered.”