AN MP has called for NHS bosses to consider how the region’s threatened hospital services would cope under plans to move thousands of Army families to a North-East super garrison.

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman raised her concerns over the mooted downgrade of Darlington Memorial Hospital’s A&E, maternity and intensive care facilities, ahead of public consultations.

Ms Chapman joined Save Our Services (SOS) Darlington campaigners to urge the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) board to consider how 2,000 troops moving to North Yorkshire’s Catterick Garrison could be cared for with reduced services.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon revealed in November that a £4bn investment into the UK’s Armed Forces would see Catterick Garrison become one of the country’s main military centres.

Ms Chapman said: “Darlington is the nearest hospital to the garrison. This strengthens the need to keep services as they are.

“There will be thousands more people living in the area and that must be reflected in the evidence that is used in the decision making process on the future of Darlington’s hospital.”

Dozens of residents and Darlington councillors joined the MP for a SOS Darlington meeting on Saturday in a bid to gather support to retain emergency care in the town.

However, CDDFT chief executive, Sue Jacques, has made assurances that no decisions have been made to downgrade departments in Darlington.

In a meeting with Parliamentary Conservative spokesman for Bishop Auckland, Chris Adams, Ms Jacques said: “No decision has been made on changes to Darlington Memorial Hospital or North Tees Hospital, and a number of proposals will be presented to the public in the summer.

“We will be meeting the public and reading letters and e-mails, and the public’s views will be very important in determining a final decision.”

CDDFT are set to open public consultations over the potential downgrades in June.

Mr Adams said: “Despite a positive discussion today, there is no space for complacency.

“One option still clearly on the table is the downgrade of services at Darlington Memorial Hospital. This could be catastrophic, especially for people living in the west of the county.”

He added: “I will fight over the months ahead to keep services in Darlington and I urge everyone in the area to make their voices heard when public consultation starts in the summer.”