Teesside hospitals set for closure or downgrading
A Teesside hospital is to close and services at other sites are set to be downgraded as part of plans being considered by health bosses.
Middlesbrough's Carter Bequest Hospital is earmarked for closure while minor injuries units in Brotton and Guisborough could also shut.
The NHS South Tees Clinical Commissioning Group plans are designed to improve care for the elderly.
A consultation has started with the measures set come into force in 2016.
Dr Henry Waters, chair of the clinical commissioning group (CCG) said: "It's really good news that people are living longer.
"However, older people have more ill health than other groups and that presents us with a challenge. We have to put the right services, in the right place to meet people's needs into the future."
The changes would see all stroke rehabilitation services from around the area being provided in Redcar.
Patients with minor injuries would also be treated in Redcar rather than Brotton or Guisborough.
Middlesbrough Labour MP Andy McDonald said the CCG's evidence was compelling.
"Thinking carefully and more broadly about the best way to meet the future care and rehabilitation needs of our elderly population is an objective we should all support," he said.
However, his Labour colleague Tom Blenkinsop, whose neighbouring constituency covers Brotton and Guisborough, said he had "serious concerns".
"Losing any more health services in East Cleveland would be a disaster for the numerous towns and villages," he said.