PLANS to close the physical rehabilitation unit at Skipton Hospital and integrate it into a new unit at Airedale have sparked protest from its users.

Airedale NHS Trust is considering moving the service from its present site to a new stroke unit, which is due to open at the Steeton hospital in September.

But users are concerned that the move will lead to patients being lost in the bigger hospital and not getting the individual care they currently enjoy.

Both nursing staff and patients are to stage a protest outside Keighley Market tomorrow (Saturday).

Chairman of the Physical Rehabilitation Unit (PRU) User Group Paul Bromley spent six months in Skipton's PRU unit while recovering from a stroke and said it was vital it remained at its present site.

"The unit takes in people with physical disabilities, be they stroke patients, multiple sclerosis sufferers or other injuries, and strives to get them back into the community," he said. "The unit there is like a family. The love, care and consideration given to patients is unbelievable.

"This is not a criticism of Airedale Hospital, they saved my life when I had heart problems. It is a criticism of the breaking up of a unit."

Mr Bromley, of Silsden, added one of the benefits of the Skipton location was that staff could take the patients for trips into town, which would not be so easy at the bigger hospital due to its location.

He also expressed concern that those who had physical disabilities not caused by a stroke would be overlooked at the new unit.

Airedale's Royal College of Nursing steward Angela Ridley said: "It's difficult to say how suitable the ward will be until it is actually finished."

Doug Farrow, director of planning at Airedale NHS Trust said: "This proposal is currently the subject of discussion with the staff involved.

"The new stroke unit is a purpose built, fully modernised facility with direct access to expert care and facilities."

A formal proposal to move the unit has been received by Airedale and Craven, Harrogate and Rural District Primary Care Trusts which commission the service.

They have issued a joint statement: "We can confirm that we have been informed by Airedale NHS Trust that it is in discussions with its staff who work on the physical rehabilitation unit at Skipton Hospital about the future of the unit.

"Subject to further discussions it would then be the intention of the PCTs to consult local people about the physical rehabilitation unit as part of a wider piece of work being undertaken by the Working with Local Communities Initiative.

Mr Bromley and his wife, Sandra, have contacted MP David Curry, Craven District Council and set up a meeting with NHS Trust chief executive Bob Allen to discuss the plans.