HELP is at hand for a community hospital which will soon set out plans for a major extension.

Friends Of Weardale Community Hospital will be launched this week to raise cash for the much-needed facility in Stanhope, which specialises in palliative care.

The 20 fundraisers will commit themselves to winning support from businesses, community groups and other donators to help buy furnishings and comforts for patients.

Councillor Anita Savory has devoted many hours to the cause and will chair the Friends group after the launch at Stanhope Masonic Hall tonight.

Modern matron Julie Walton said: "We have raised a lot of money ourselves and Anita has been wonderful.

"As other community hospitals in the area, such as Sedgefield, have Friends groups attached to them we decided to set up one of our own.

"The hospital is getting more and more busy and nurses need to focus on caring for patients."

Durham Dales Primary Care Trust replaced Stanhope’s Horn Hall, which opened in 1900, with the new £1m hospital in 2002 after it emerged £750,000 was needed to bring the building up to standard.

Today, staff offer long-term and respite care for elderly and convalescing patients, as well as physiotherapy and occupational therapy services.

Around 20 patients are cared for in-house but Ms Walton says demand is growing, particularly for multiple sclerosis (MS) care and outreach services.

Plans are being drawn up for a two-storey extension, which have already been revised from a single-storey development.

Ms Walton also said nurses will soon provide a day care service which will help stroke and MS patients and those recovering from car accident injuries.

She said services will be developed in consultation with Weardale residents and according to their needs, adding: "We have got a lot of plans but it will be a matter of taking it one step at a time, seeing what the dale requires and working with the community."

Tickets for Friday’s event are £10 on 01388-528233 or 01388-527594.

Supper and entertainment are included.