COUNCILLORS have criticised changes to physiotherapy services in Northumberland.

There are concerns outreach services could be reduced after Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust partnered with Connect Health to deliver some services.

Northumberland’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have not specified how many hours would be dropped.

The issue was discussed at Haltwhistle Town Council’s meeting earlier this month.

Councillors felt rural areas were being unfairly targeted.

Coun. Graham Ridley said: “The services that have been provided are being reconfigured to the detriment of rural areas.

“I object to rural areas being made detrimental in order to balance the books for the rural areas, which is what’s happening.

“The CCG have been bombarded with objections.”

The council agreed to write a letter to the trust outlining their concerns, as well as questioning exactly what changes were being made.

Northumbria Healthcare said the new service would give more people access to care thanks to a telemedicine based triage service, where patients would be able to get advice over the telephone without leaving the house.

It is claimed that new service will also be constantly reviewed to ensure it is working as planned.