Campaigners who fought controversial plans to close a hospital day surgery expect to learn that they have been successful this week.
Consultancy firm Tribal began examining the work of a Day Surgery Unit at Shotley Bridge, Consett, County Durham, four months ago to see whether it could be cost-effective.
County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust had proposed to close it last August, before the publication of a government White Paper advocated making more use of community hospitals.
The board agreed last July to defer a six month temporary closure so that Tribal's evaluation could be carried out.
The results are expected to be known this week.
Alex Watson, leader of Derwentside District Council, said: "The Council is well aware of the community's high regard for the services and facilities at Shotley Bridge Hospital and made that point to Tribal.
"Local GPs support the retention of the day surgery unit at Shotley Bridge, our MP Hilary Armstrong has campaigned to prevent it from closing and, whilst there can be no guarantees, the signs are looking positive.
"Had the closure been allowed to go ahead then some residents of Derwentside would have faced a round trip of 30 miles for minor surgery, which was not acceptable.
"There is a shortage of beds at the University Hospital of North Durham. Patients attending the UND from Derwentside would have been at risk of being placed on trolleys between beds or in the corridor."
Trust chief executive John Saxby said last year's decision to close the Day Surgery Unit at Shotley Bridge was made because "there are simply not enough patients from Derwentside who are suitable for day surgery at Shotley Bridge".
He said: "The majority of those currently receiving day surgery at Shotley Bridge do not actually come from Derwentside, but are brought in from Durham, Chester-le-Street or even further afield to fill the operating lists."
But Derwentside deputy leader Michael Malone said: "I am confident that the report (from Tribal) will paint a positive picture for the Day Surgery's survival."
The council says closure would break a pledge made in 1999 by the former County Durham Health Authority to maintain a full range of community hospital services at Shotley Bridge.
