The hospital was built in 2002 to replace Bishop Auckland General Hospital, which had been in existence for over 100 years, serving the town and the local area first as a workhouse, and then as a well staffed and equipped general hospital, which included an A and E Department. Gradually, this hospital has been de-staffed, over only 12 years, and the people have to travel to either Durham or Darlington for emergencies. There is now a proposal to extend the facilities in Durham, thereby condemning the hospital in Bishop Auckland to "cottage hospital" status. Many of the people of the area have had enough, and wish to protest vehemently against the proposal, not just Bishop Auckland residents, but those from Shildon and other nearby towns. Local people see no sense in the decision, not in economic terms or in terms of equipment, facilities or personnel. There is also a longer term petition to reopen the hospital fully, but the reinstatement of A and E rather than the proposed expansion in another hospital seems a shorter term priority. Please sign this petition if you agree.
Opdater #29 år siden
Almost half way to target of 1000 signatures so please continue to share.
Opdater #19 år siden
In just 12 hours 180 people signed this petition protesting against the development of A and E facilities elsewhere whilst ffacilities in Bishop Auckland, built only in 2002, remain closed. There is a longer term petition trying to get the whole hospital reinstated to its former status, serving the people of the area in a way convenient to the people, not to managers and planners. Please support that also, and continue to protest against these insults.
