ANOTHER round of major changes to North-East hospitals is planned, health bosses have revealed.

Surgeon Professor Ara Darzi is already looking at the viability of the University Hospital of Hartlepool as part of a review of NHS services on Teesside.

The scope of Prof Darzi's report has been extended to cover an area from the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, to the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham.

Prof Darzi has been asked to look at the the impact of the centralisation of specialist services at the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, on the other regional hospitals and whether the Teesside super-hospital has the capacity to cope.

He has also been asked to look at Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust's proposals to ensure the long-term viability of the Friarage Hospital.

One of the main issues Prof Darzi will consider is whether there is a need to balance the growing importance of the James Cook University Hospital.

This could lead to the enhancement of services at another hospital to provide a second sub-regional centre of excellence with a wider range of specialist services.

Prof Darzi has already played a leading role in shaping North health services.

His proposals to encourage closer work between the University Hospital of North Durham and Bishop Auckland General Hospital, known as The Darzi Plan, formed the basis of recent changes to hospital services in County Durham.

But critics said his plan led to the downgrading of Bishop Auckland hospital and the transfer of many acute services to either the University Hospital of North Durham or Darlington Memorial Hospital

Ken Jarrold, the chief executive of County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority, said: "I think change is inevitable in every stage of our life, and that includes the health service.

"A great deal is changing for the better in terms of shorter waiting times and better outcomes for many patients, but there is also a need to reflect on the viability of certain services and what is the best way to maintain local services while achieving quality outcomes."

Mr Jarrold said any proposals would go to public consultation.