HEALTH chiefs want to develop services in the Stanley area by building two new medical centres.

Derwentside Primary Care Trust hopes to demolish the existing surgery and replace it with an up-to-date centre.

It would provide services such as audiology and out-patient, as well as occupational and speech therapy.

The trust also wants to create a centre on the land that will be vacant when Stanley Bus Station is relocated.

The new centre would house GP services, nursing, various therapies, family planning, a dental service, hospital out-patient services and x-ray facilities.

Practitioners with an interest in providing diabetes clinics, minor surgery and musculo-skeletal services would also be able to operate from the new centre.

Trust chief executive Wynn Griffiths said: "The most popular site identified by the working groups for the new health centre development is the area that will be vacated when Stanley Bus Station is relocated.

"This will ensure excellent access to and from the town centre and help to regenerate the local economy by keeping and expanding activity within the town centre.

"The PCT has expressed an interest in this site and we are continuing to develop a business case in support of this option."

Services at Tanfield View Surgery, Louisa Surgery, Stanley and Craghead Medical Centre are to be maintained.

But if the proposals go ahead, the Child Develop Centre offices at Annfield Plain will be vacated.

Outpatient and x-ray services will be transferred from South Moor Hospital to the new health centre in Stanley.

A final decision will not be taken until consultation has been completed.

The trust is asking patients and staff to express their views between February 20 and May 22.

There will be two public meetings and two staff meetings on dates to be announced.

Comments can be made on the proposals at the public meetings or via the trust web site at www.derwentside-pct.nhs.uk

Alternatively, people can write to Wynn Griffiths, chief executive, Derwentside PCT, Shotley Bridge Community Hospital, Consett, County Durham DH8 0NB. Comments should be received by May 22.