CAMPAIGNERS fighting to keep a hospital ward open have been given a temporary reprieve but are urging residents to 'keep the pressure on' to see it saved.

More than 2,000 people signed a petition against the closure of Ward 6 at Bishop Auckland Hospital after County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) proposed to close it.

However, following a meeting with the board of governors on Wednesday night, the closure has now been paused until November 15.

It follows pressure from MP Helen Goodman, local councillors and residents to keep the ward open.

Campaigners will be in the town's market place today, from 10am to 2pm and a public meeting will be held on Thursday.

A march is also planned and t-shirts have been made.

Ms Goodman said: “This is good news. We have not yet won the battle, but at least CDDFT are now listening. It is more vital than ever that people make their views known to the Trust. The public meeting on October 18 will be going ahead as planned, and we need to keep fighting for Ward 6 and continue to show how highly our community values this service.

“I have also received a positive response from the Chair of Healthwatch County Durham this morning, who are undertaking action as a matter of urgency.”

A Trust spokeswoman said confirmed no changes would be made before the next meeting of the local overview and scrutiny committee in November.

She said: “On October 1, 2018, the Trust started a staff consultation about how we best manage the delivery of step-down care for patients and in particular the delivery of these services from Ward 6 at Bishop Auckland Hospital.

"In an internal document supporting the staff consultation, a timetable was included for the proposed changes. Within the document it recognised that the timetable could be subject to change dependent on staff feedback during this consultation.

"The public meeting being held next week also presents a further engagement opportunity. The Trust is discussing the proposal with health and social care partners including the local overview and scrutiny committee and will attend a meeting of the committee in November to discuss further. No changes to the ward will take place in the interim period.”

To sign the petition visit helengoodman.org.uk/latest-news