Hartlepool fertility closure: Council demands answers from trust

Licensed fertility services were to cease at the University Hospital of Hartlepool's assisted reproduction unit at the end of March, the trust said

A health trust has been "summoned" by a council to explain its decision to scrap services at a hospital.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust is to stop licensed fertility treatment, including IVF, at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

Hartlepool Borough Council said the decision had been a shock and had "come completely out of the blue".

The trust said it made the decision reluctantly after being unable to recruit enough embryologists.

Medical director David Emerton said: "We understand that this decision will be disappointing for patients."

They would be transferred to another unit of their choice, he said.

Audit and governance committee chairman Ray Martin-Wells said the decision was a "shock"

Hospital bosses have been called to explain the decision before a meeting of the council's audit and governance committee.

Chairman Ray Martin-Wells said the trust had told the authority it was having difficulties recruiting staff but "at no time" did they mention closing fertility services at Hartlepool.

The matter could be referred to the secretary of state for health unless the trust "can come up with an acceptable rationale", he said.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held on 5 February.