AN MP has vowed to fight “tooth and nail” any plan to strip her local hospital of acute services.

Jenny Chapman, Labour MP for Darlington, was reacting to rumours that officials were considering the idea of concentrating all of County Durham’s acute NHS hospital services at Durham City and downgrading Darlington Memorial Hospital.

The rumours suggested that children’s and maternity services could be the first to go.

Last night, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust officials said while they were considering the future shape and direction of hospital services, they were investing more than £30m at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Mrs Chapman said: “I have heard this rumour before and I have received assurances that it is false. If it is true, I will go ballistic.

“We need these services in the town. There is no question of this going ahead. I would fight such proposals tooth and nail.”

Councillor Marion Swift, chairwoman of Darlington Borough Council’s health and wellbeing committee, said: “I am absolutely horrified at this rumour.”

In recent years, the trust concentrated acute medical and surgical services at the 140-bed Darlington Memorial Hospital and the 213-bed University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, and removed acute services from Bishop Auckland Hospital.

There are fears that the Durham hospital could be given preferential treatment because it was built as part of the controversial private finance initiative.

Last year, the Liberal Democrats calculated that The University Hospital of North Durham cost £61m to build, but will cost taxpayers a total of £521m over 30 years.

Dr Robin Mitchell, acting medical director, said: “The trust is currently investing £25m in the infrastructure of Darlington Memorial, and has just opened a £5.5m intensive treatment unit – which demonstrates our commitment to the hospital.

“We are also investing in our facilities at The University Hospital of North Durham.

“We are engaged in an ongoing process of listening to staff and stakeholders about the future shape and direction of hospital and community care, but no plans have been developed for any services.

“If particular staff groups or representatives feel left out of this discussion, we would urge them to make their views known and get involved.”