A COUNCIL has urged a health trust to reject plans to close an accident and emergency unit. Proposals have been put in place to cut the facility at Bishop Auckland General Hospital. But residents have launched a campaign to save the unit which is facing the axe in a shake up of services.

By Rachel Wearmouth A COMMUNITY threatened with the loss of its accident and emergency unit is using a social networking site to rally support. Nearly 2,000 people have joined the Facebook group Save Bishop Auckland General?s A&E since it was created last Wednesday.

By Barry Nelson SWEEPING plans to modernise hospital services in parts of the region were released yesterday. The proposals, which will lead to the downgrading of Bishop Auckland General Hospital, will now go out to public consultation.

By Barry Nelson CAMPAIGNERS hope that hundreds of people will march through the streets of a town to protest against hospital cutbacks. The Save Our Hospital (SOH) campaign group plans a large demonstration to show opposition to proposed changes at Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

CANCER DRUGS FOLLOWING the excitement of the Olympic Games and the magnificent performance of our athletes, plus the commitment of the Government to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, could I ask everyone to pressure MPs to urge the Government to fund cancer- fighting drugs throughout the whole country.