Healthcare leaders at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) are reassuring the local community about the vital role of Bishop Auckland Hospital both now and in the future.

Over the past three years thousands more people have had their care locally as the Trust continues to bring even more care into the town’s fantastic hospital facility in line with the Government’s 10-year plan for the NHS.

Thousands more patients are receiving appointments, scans and treatment, from planned operations and cancer care to diagnostic tests, eye surgery and rehabilitation. During 2025/26, the hospital saw increases in all activity compared to just three years ago (2022/23) This included:

  • over 98,500 outpatient appointments (up 19%)
  • over 11,800 CT scans (up 53%)
  • over 8,700 MRI scans (up 19%)
  • over 7,300 endoscopy procedures (up 37%)
  • over 7,600 chemotherapy appointments (up 49%)
  • over 3,800 ward stays (up 35%)

The new surgical hub at Bishop Auckland Hospital, one of only six across the whole region. It means there is now more planned surgery taking place in the town than ever before. Last year, thousands of surgical procedures took place including:

  • over 980 cataract operations (up 20%)
  • over 30,000 day case operations (up 48%)
  • over 3,600 operations needing an overnight stay (up 36%)

Many patients come from across County Durham and Darlington to have their planned orthopaedic surgery, including joint replacements.

The hospital’s clean-air operating theatres are designed to help reduce the risk of infection, while patients who need further support following surgery can also benefit from rehabilitation and physiotherapy, helping them recover and regain their independence.

As well as an Urgent Treatment Centre which saw over 13,600 people attending last year, Bishop Auckland Hospital also provides a wide range of specialist care. It provides inpatient care and rehabilitation for people following a stroke and step-down care for patients who are recovering or transitioning from acute treatment.

It is also home to the Trust’s Parkinson’s Disease service and provides community dental care for children and young people who have additional needs and benefit from care in a specially equipped environment.

Victoria Pye is one of the Matrons supporting frailty, step-down and rehabilitation care at Bishop Auckland Hospital. She said: "Bishop Auckland Hospital means a great deal to our local community, and as someone who is local myself, I know just how important it is to people.

"I'm incredibly proud of the care our teams provide every day. There is so much happening here, from surgery and scans to cancer care, rehabilitation and specialist services that make a real difference to people's lives.

"Behind every one of these figures is a patient, a family and a team of colleagues working hard to provide the best care they can. It is fantastic to see how much the hospital continues to grow and to be able to celebrate the work of our teams."

Feedback from patients is also positive. The Trust's most recent Friends and Family Test results show that 100% of patients and service users who responded about their care on the hospital's wards would recommend the service.

Dr Eliot Sykes, Chief Medical Officer at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Bishop Auckland Hospital is an important part of how we care for people across County Durham and Darlington, and these figures show just how much is happening there.

"We want to make the best use of all our hospitals, building on what each does well and making sure our services meet the needs of patients now and in the future.

"Bishop Auckland has particular strengths in planned surgery. Its clean-air theatres and the ability to provide operations away from the pressures of emergency care mean we can offer patients a good environment for their treatment, with fewer disruptions and support for their recovery.

"We know how much the hospital matters to local people. It has a vital role to play both now and in the future, and we do not want to stand still. We want to build on the hospital's strengths and continue to enhance the care available on the site, whether that’ by increasing the number and range of operations carried out here or by further developing a community-facing model of care. This will help us provide more care closer to home, in line with national policy, while ensuring our services continue to meet local needs and deliver the best possible care for years to come."