Durham County Council has issued a passionate plea for the NHS to improve health services in the region amid concerns over cuts and underfunding
Shotley Bridge Hospital (Image: Sarah Caldecott/Durham County Council)
The continued overnight closure of a hospital’s Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) alongside reductions to NHS services leaves local people “at a serious disadvantage”, council representatives have cautioned. Durham County Council has made an impassioned appeal for the NHS to enhance health provision across the area following worries about funding shortfalls and service reductions.
Health service bosses and Government ministers have been called upon to reverse the night-time shutdown of Shotley Bridge Hospital’s UTC and provide funding for a new Accident and Emergency Department at University Hospital of North Durham.
The County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust announced earlier this month that the UTC’s overnight closure would continue until 2026 because of persistent challenges in attracting staff. The Trust explained its choice not to roster the overnight shift, running from 12am to 8am, was necessary to safeguard daytime provision.
However, local people have cautioned it will strip away convenient access to urgent medical attention and heap additional strain on other NHS facilities across the region.
Reform councillor Kenny Hope presented a motion at a full council meeting, which stated: “The closure of the UTC overnight represents an unacceptable reduction in urgent healthcare access for residents of Consett and surrounding communities.
“This will place additional pressure on regional hospitals, exacerbate health inequalities, and is inconsistent with the NHS’s duty to provide comprehensive health services under the National Health Service Act 2006.
“Urgent action is required from both central Government and the NHS to address staff shortages, ensure adequate local healthcare provision, and safeguard patient safety.”
Despite ongoing efforts by NHS officials to bolster the service with the recruitment of Advanced Nurse Practitioners, including a recent hire, the imminent departure of three staff members means the trust cannot safely operate the service overnight.
During the initial closure from July to September, the Trust confirmed an average of one patient was referred to University Hospital North Durham from the Shotley Bridge area, and there had reportedly been no incidents or complaints related to the temporary closure.
However, Durham County Council has agreed to urge central Government, the Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS leadership to immediately reconsider and reverse the overnight closure of the UTC at Shotley Bridge Hospital, and to restore a 24-hour service without delay.
The motion also outlined plans to request that the NHS prioritise the recruitment and retention of ANPs, offering competitive remuneration and incentives to ensure the service remains sustainable.
The proposal was modified following an original motion by the Liberal Democrats, and received unanimous support from all councillors.
Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Wilkes said: “It’s important that, as a council, we are collectively sending a message to the government that NHS services matter in this county. We have really serious issues where, over many years, local hospitals have been shut down and services have been reduced. We have had promises that haven’t come to fruition.”
Councillors also cautioned that the planned 16-bed hospital at Shotley Bridge represents a substantial shortfall in provision and does not satisfy local demand when assessed against international standards.
The motion added that the authority will “urge the Government and the NHS to reassess and increase the bed allocation for the new Shotley Bridge Hospital to meet the healthcare needs of the people of Consett and surrounding areas.”
The County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust did not respond to a request to comment.
Our County Durham Live newsletter is free. You can sign up to receive it here. It will keep you up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from in and around County Durham.
ChronicleLive has created a dedicated WhatsApp community for County Durham news. You can join this WhatsApp community here. It will keep you up-to-date with County Durham news as it breaks, sent directly to your phone.