Talks over hospital ward axe

HEALTH bosses will be grilled on plans to shut down a hospital ward later this month.

Talks have started on proposals to close the 24-bed ward six at Bishop Auckland Hospital.

The scheme has prompted a petition to parliament and a formal pledge from Durham County Council to scrutinise it.

And on November 15, members of the council’s Adults, Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee will have the chance to grill managers from County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

A spokesperson for the trust, said: “The trust is discussing the proposal with health and social care partners.”