A CHARITY for elderly people has voiced its concern about plans to close a stroke unit at a North-East hospital.

Age Concern Darlington has met Labour parliamentary prospective candidate (PPC) Jenny Chapman about the proposals for the acute stroke unit at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

The Northern Echo revealed last week that, because of a shortage of specialist doctors, the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust was considering closing the Darlington stroke unit and concentrating services in Durham city.

The trust has admitted that, unless the vacancies can be filled in the next ten months, one of the units may have to close.

David Heaton, chairman of Age Concern Darlington, said: “This should not be an either-or situation.

“Something as basic and important as dealing with strokes should not require someone from Darlington to travel all the way through to Durham, or vice-versa.

“It should be both.

“This really needs a coordinated effort to pressure for retaining it in Darlington.”

Ms Chapman has also called for a concerted effort by members of the Darlington community to oppose the closure.

She said: “There must be a whole-community response.

“Community and voluntary groups, the council, trade unions and all political parties need to work together to make the case for Darlington.

“We must leave our political differences aside and work collaboratively to put the best possible argument to the NHS trust about why services for stroke patients need to be based in Darlington.”

Edward Legard, the Conservative PPC, said: “I’m ready to work with anyone to ensure that the acute stroke service remains in Darlington.

“I am meeting Stephen Eames (trust chief executive) in the coming days to press upon him just how essential these services are.

“I hope it will be productive and I will be utilising my skills as a barrister to articulate the case for its retention.”

Mike Barker, the Liberal Democrat PPC, criticised Ms Chapman for leaking the story about the impending closure to the press.

However, he said: “What is important is that all parties come together to ensure that, in the longer-term review that will be necessary to ensure we meet the Government’s target of an acute stroke service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Darlington retains the highest quality acute stroke provision at the Memorial Hospital.

“Local politicians’ top priority should be to protect local health services, not to cause great public anxiety by pursuing cheap party political advantage.”