Hospital services saved thanks to “immense campaigning” of Bishop Auckland MP, says Health Secretary.
It was confirmed today by the local Clinical Commissioning Groups that the consultations to move stroke rehabilitation services from Bishop Auckland Hospital and to change the Ward 6 inpatient services have both been cancelled. Bishop Auckland MP, Dehenna Davison, has welcomed this news as a “victory for the local community”.
She said,
“Since my first day as an MP, I have been campaigning hard alongside Ric Holden MP to stop services from being removed from Bishop Auckland Hospital. The strength of feeling from the local community has been great, and I have been delighted to work alongside them to secure this victory for the local community.”
“Ric and I are grateful to the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary for taking such quick action on this matter. On the first day since the UK’s exit from the European Union, the Government is already sticking to their election promise to improve NHS services, proving that this new Conservative Government is committed to delivering for people here in County Durham.”
At her first Prime Minister’s Questions, Dehenna asked the Prime Minister about the stroke unit proposals in the House of Commons. Since then, she has spoken frequently about the future of the Hospital in the House of Commons, and has met the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, several times to ensure residents’ concerns have been heard.
On hearing the news, Mr Hancock said:
“I’m delighted North Durham CCG are cancelling proposals to relocate stroke rehabilitation out of Bishop Auckland and changes to Ward 6 inpatient rehabilitation services. This is in large part down to the immense campaigning of the new Bishop Auckland MP, Dehenna Davison.
Having only been in post a few weeks, Dehenna has already been a huge voice for the interests of Bishop Auckland, lobbying me endlessly about her concerns over these consultations and the need to ensure Bishop Auckland has the health services it needs for the future.
I have been thoroughly impressed, and know she will continue to be a strong voice for Bishop Auckland.”
Ric Holden said:
“This is a great victory for residents Weardale and Teesdale. I’m delighted to have worked closely with Dehenna on her campaign. It shows the effect campaigning Conservative MPs, working together locally can have”
NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups in County Durham and Darlington have confirmed that will cease consultations to move the stroke rehabilitation service from Bishop Auckland Hospital and re-purposing Ward-6.