THE final public consultation event on the future of children’s and maternity services at Northallerton’s Friarage Hospital will take place this month.

Health bosses from South Tees NHS Trust will meet in Bedale Hall on June 18 to hear the case from those opposed to a recommendation to close the paediatric inpatient unit and reduce maternity provision the Friarage.

The meeting will be the ninth to be held in the region since the controversial plans announced.

The public engagement process will conclude on June 24, after which the region’s shadow Clinical Commissioning Group will draw up proposals for North Yorkshire and York NHS Primary Care Trust’s board to consider on July 24.