North Tyneside councillors have backed efforts to restore the A&E department at North Tyneside General Hospital at Rake Lane.
A motion asked Elected Mayor Dame Norma Redfearn to write to Northumbria Health Care Trust to create a task force, with council involvement, to bring back 24-hour accident and emergency services at Rake Lane. The motion also called for the walk-in centre at Battle Hill to reopen.
Former nurse, health visitor, and Conservative Mayor of North Tyneside, Coun Linda Arkley expressed her frustration with the closure of the A&E and the problems getting medical help at the Cramlington alternative poses to residents.