A SERIES of public meetings have been held as a community hospital prepares to undergo a £5.5m refurbishment.

Building work at the Richardson Hospital, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, is expected to begin by the end of the year, and the consultations have thrown up questions ranging from the provision of children's services to better television reception.

Durham Dales Primary Care Trust said it wanted to meet the expectations of patients.

Director of nursing Christina Haworth said: "I think the meetings were very positive and well attended. People are really starting to believe it's going to get built."

Other questions raised included multiple sclerosis services, palliative and respite care and bed reduction.

The hospital is expected to lose eight beds as a result of the refurbishment but patients who would normally travel to the hospital from Darlington will be looked after closer to their homes.

The hospital will provide a wider range of outpatient services, and beds will also be set aside for the patients of general practitioners in the dales.

Depending on whether the work is done as a complete rebuild or in phases, the renovations are expected to take between one and two years to complete.

A further meeting is taking place this evening at Darlington Dolphin Centre, at 7pm.

Durham Dales PCT is holding a "listening event", where people will get a chance to have their say on health services on Tuesday, April 20, from 7pm to 8.30pm, at the Council Chambers, Barnard Castle.

Further events will take place, at the same time, on May 18, at the health centre in Chapel Street, Willington; June 22, at Middleton in Teesdale Village Hall; July 20, at Bishop Auckland Town Hall and September 21, at Evenwood Community Centre.