DEMONSTRATORS have vowed to pack out an NHS meeting to protest against talks over closing their town hospital.
The campaigners will attend the North Tees NHS Trust's annual meeting, at the University Hospital of Hartlepool, at 12.30pm on Friday.
NHS managers have told the campaigners that there are no immediate plans to close the hospital.
The NHS Strategic Health Authority has said the idea to merge Hartlepool and Stockton hospitals is one option being considered in a long-term review of services.
Other proposals include keeping services as they are and reorganising services so one hospital focuses on emergencies and one on planned care.
However, campaigner John Bloom, who has organised a petition bearing 10,000 names, said he will continue with a campaign until any suggestion of closing the hospital is ruled out.
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