THERE were bitter recriminations today (Tuesday, February 17) following a bad-tempered council meeting to discuss the reduction of hospital services in Hartlepool.

The decision to reduce services at Hartlepool hospital has been taken by the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, which transferred the accident and emergency department to the hospital in Stockton in 2011.

However members of the public and campaigners have focused on encouraging Hartlepool Borough Council to work harder to reverse the decision and a motion was put before the council on Monday night for the authority to withdraw all co-operation with the trust.

The motion was lodged by Independent councillor David Riddle, but the authority was advised that withdrawing all co-operation would be in breach of council officers' legal duty and potentially put vulnerable people at risk.

Cllr Riddle, of the Putting Hartlepool First group, pointed out during the meeting at Hartlepool Civic Centre that the council had already passed two motions of no confidence in the trust and should not work with an organisation it had no faith in.

However he was accused 'playing games' with the issue and that accepting his advice could lead to a loss of protection of vulnerable people, such as elderly in care and children who need social care support. In the end the motion was ruled 'out of order' and no vote was taken.

That led to anger from members of the public with up to 50 members of the public shouting out jibes at Labour councillors and at one point a Save Our Hospital campaigner, former councillor Keith Fisher, left the meeting following suggestions he could be thrown out.

The recriminations continued today. First Cllr Riddle sent a letter to every Hartlepool councillor.

The letter said: "The utter contempt displayed towards members of the public sickened me. We had to witness the sickening treatment of a recently bereaved, ex-member of our own council, thrown out of the meeting for having the temerity to continue to fight for a cause he has devoted a significant chunk of his life toward."

Leader of the council, Cllr Christopher Akers-Belcher hit back. He said: “What I find so alarming and shameful from last night’s meeting is that this move, which was purely for political gain, would also have prevented the excellent work of our council in safeguarding children and protecting vulnerable adults.

"In the wake of the Baby P inquiry and the recent Rotherham scandal how any councillor can contemplate absolving themselves from their responsibilities and ask our staff to do something illegal is at the very lowest end of politics."

Cllr Christopher Akers-Belcher has a meeting to discuss hospital services with cabinet minister Jeremy Hunt next week.