HEALTH chiefs have told campaigners they have no plans to close a community hospital after a petition of more than 2,000 names was sent to the Secretary of State John Reid.

But protestors are still cynical about future plans for South Moor Community Hospital and fear it will be shut down.

Campaigner Garry Reed, of Oak Terrace, Stanley, has received a letter from County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive John Saxby.

It says: "The trust currently has no plans to close South Moor Hospital and we do not have any such proposal in development.

"Although Derwentside Primary Care Trust has plans to consult on a new Stanley Health Centre later this year, the position of this trust is that the future of the patient beds at South Moor does not depend on this consultation.

"If South Moor were to close, this would be the subject of a separate consultation and, as stated above, the trust currently has no plans to do so and is not developing any such proposals."

Mr Reed believes there is a covenant on the land that stops it from being used for purposes other than providing health treatment.

Mr Saxby said the hospital had made no attempt to lift the covenant.

He said: "The trust's view is that a discussion should only begin about the future use of the land if a decision is made and consulted upon that the hospital should close.

"The covenants will not stop the trust from closing the hospital and moving services elsewhere if it was agreed following consultation.

"However, application of the covenants would slow down the process of funding a new use for the land."

Mr Reed started his campaign after Derwentside Primary Care Trust announced its intention to move services for outpatients and those in need of x-rays.

Discussions about closing the building have taken place for years because of the age and condition of the building and equipment.

Mr Reed said: "I don't feel very reassured by what they have said at all because it sounds like he is contradicting himself.

"The closure of South Moor will have a detrimental effect on the hospital at Durham and operations will be cancelled.

"The community want the hospital and that is clear because of the petition."