HEALTH bosses are considering closing a dementia ward as part of the reorganisation of services in the North-East.

Picktree ward, at the Bowes Lyon Unit of Lanchester Road Hospital, near Durham City, currently has ten beds for elderly men and women.

Closing it would see patients being cared for at the Ceddesfeld and Hamsterley wards in Bishop Auckland instead.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust said no decision has been made and options include the closure of one of the two ten-bed single sex wards in Auckland Park Hospital.

The trust has said it will maintain the 30 beds, but is exploring options, which could include increasing numbers at Picktree, but it is likely a ward at one of the two sites will be shut next year.

Durham County Councillor Owen Temple, who represents Consett, said: “Closing Picktree is not in the interests of people in this area if all elderly dementia sufferers who have to go to hospital have to go to Bishop Auckland.

“It is a four hour round trip by bus minimum. It is an appalling prospect, given the travel time. I do not think they can possible argue that the gains in patient care terms will outweigh the isolation that it will enforce on patients.

“The average stay is measured in weeks and months. It is not like going in to have your appendix out.

“They are challenging cases and the people it will damage most are their carers who are often already torn into shreds by them going into hospital.”

Clinical Commissioning Groups in County Durham are being asked for their views before the matter is sent to the Overview and Scrutiny Committees of Darlington Borough Council and Durham County Council for their input.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust said no decision would be made without a 12-week period of consultation, which would involve public meetings and is likely to be held in the New Year.

A spokesperson for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust said: “The views of local people will be vital in helping us decide which option to implement and no decision will be made until after the consultation has been carried out.”