HEALTH workers are being urged to rally round as Northallerton's Friarage Hospital sees an exodus of staff to the Gulf.

About 50 military members of staff - mainly nurses and doctors - are leaving the hospital as the military build-up continues in preparation for a possible war against Iraq.

But it is hoped that services will be maintained as colleagues use existing resources to fill the gaps.

South Tees Acute NHS Trust says contingency plans are in place for loss of a "noticeable chunk of our workforce."

The region's primary care trust is also bracing itself for possible impact as staff are drafted overseas.

Since July 1999, the Friarage - now part of the South Tees nhs Trust - has been working with the Ministry of Defence to provide medical care to military personnel.

Its doctors, nurses and other professionals have been very much a part of the clinical teams at the hospital, says the trust. Now it has had official notification of the number so military staff who could be called for service, about 50 in the case of the Friarage.

The trust also has 18 Territorial Army reserves on its books, covering a wide range of workers such as sisters, nurses, physiotherapists and health care assistants.

"We are confident staff will rally round and use existing resources to maintain services at the Northallerton hospital," said a spokesman.

Hambleton and Richmondshire PCT chief executive, Chris Long, said his organisation was not directly affected yet.

"We have been working closely with the acute trust, especially at the Friarage, because we do not want our patients to suffer in terms of long waiting times if the hospital loses military personnel. They have responsibilities here," he said.

"They have contingency plans in place and there is a benefit in that the Northallerton trust merged with South Tees and so cross-cover arrangements can be put in place. That is positive and they have done that."

* Soldiers at Catterick Garrison are on 48-hour standby to travel to the Gulf if war on Iraq is declared.

The 1st battalion Queen's Dragoon Guards would act as reconnaissance group for Challenger tanks. Their equipment, including Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicles, has already been despatched to the Middle East.

"Until a political decision is taken, they won't move, but they are on 48-hours notice," said an Army spokesman.

He said the UK armoured division land force in the Gulf would also include elements from three other North Yorkshire-based regiments - 5 Regiment Royal Artillery, based at Marne barracks, Catterick; 40 Regiment Royal Artillery, from Topcliffe, near Thirsk; and 38 Engineer Regiment Royal Engineers, based at Ripon.