STAFF at a Teesdale health centre are preparing to move premises to clear the way for construction of a community hospital.

Staff from the Teesdale Community Health Centre, in Barnard Castle, will begin moving into newly-prepared rooms in the Richardson Hospital on January 21, with the community health team moving in on Friday, January 28.

The activities and services the various groups provide will also relocate, with all the moves to be completed by January 31.

The move will allow the centre to be demolished and work to begin on the £6.5m Richardson Hospital on the vacated site.

During and after the move, all services from the health centre and hospital will be maintained.

The new hospital will include a wider range of out-patient services and palliative care, improved access, general practitioner beds and therapy services.