By KERRY WOOD CAMPAIGNERS fighting to keep a community hospital's wards from closure are celebrating a victory for patients. Last year the future of Shotley Bridge Hospital was thrown into uncertainty when one of its two day surgery wards was closed due to an apparent lack of use.

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.

By Barry Nelson AN MP has said she is shocked by the quality of decision-making in the region?s NHS. The comments follow Tuesday?s decision by County Durham Primary Care Trust to support, in principle, plans for public consultation over changes to hospital services.