Bishop Auckland Hospital treats thousands more patients yearly

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 08:32 · Archive

Bishop Auckland Hospital has treated significantly more patients over three years, with outpatient appointments rising 19 per cent and day-case operations up 48 per cent.

Bishop Auckland Hospital has released figures showing thousands more patients treated across a range of services over the past three years. Outpatient appointments rose 19 per cent to more than 98,500 between 2022/23 and 2025/26. CT scans rose 53 per cent to more than 11,800, while MRI scans increased 19 per cent to 8,700. Endoscopy procedures rose 37 per cent and chemotherapy appointments 49 per cent. Ward stays rose 35 per cent, with more than 3,800 patients admitted during the year.

The hospital now serves as one of the North East's six surgical hubs. More than 30,000 day-case operations were carried out last financial year, up 48 per cent in three years. The hospital also carried out more than 3,600 operations requiring an overnight stay and almost 1,000 cataract procedures. More than 13,600 people attended the hospital's Urgent Treatment Centre during the year.

Trust bosses say the data shows Bishop Auckland Hospital is treating more patients than ever and will remain vital to healthcare across County Durham. Campaigners, unions, councillors and local MPs have condemned plans to close the hospital's frailty ward and move services to Darlington, warning they would gradually strip services from the hospital.

How it is being reported

• Thousands more patients treated at hospital amid ward closure debateBishop Auckland Hospital treats more patients as outpatient, scan and surgery numbers rise, while plans to move its frailty ward to Darlington face opposition.Darlington & Stockton Times · 1 Nov, 08:00
• Thousands more patients treated at Bishop Auckland Hospital amid ward closure debateBishop Auckland Hospital treats more patients as outpatient, scan and surgery numbers rise, while plans to move its frailty ward to Darlington face opposition.The Northern Echo · 31 Oct, 05:30

In this story: Bishop Auckland Hospital · County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust · Bishop Auckland · Darlington · County Durham

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log