PLANS to close a village's weekly branch surgery have run into opposition.

The Coxhoe Medical Practice has run a Monday morning sessions in Quarrington Hill Community Centre since 1993.

But the practice has written to almost 900 patients in the village and neighbouring Cassop, saying that the facilities there are no longer appropriate.

The practice is now applying to the Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust for permission to end the sessions.

A letter from the surgery to patients says the centre 'is not an appropriate clinical environment' and a receptionist from the main surgery has to work there on the busiest day of the week in an 'unsuitable working environment' because the regulations on a working temperature are not always met. The number of doctors has reduced and the list size for the practice is still very high.

"Patient care can be better managed in the main surgery where GPs and nurses have access to diagnostic equipment and clinical and IT facilities to provide an integrated service."

But Durham Labour MP Gerry Steinberg is urging the trust to refuse the application and said that some patients will face difficulties going to the main surgery in Coxhoe.

He said: "I am extremely concerned and disappointed at the proposal. The surgery is well-used and its withdrawal will seriously disadvantage the most vulnerable members of the community, particularly the elderly and infirm and young families, who often find it difficult to travel to access GP services.

"I am aware that Coxhoe Medical Practice withdrew a similar services from the village of Kelloe some years ago and it seems intent on finding reasons to reduce the services offered to patients by repeating this move at Quarrington Hill."

Durham City councillor Maurice Crathorne said: "This will be a massive inconvenience. There is only an hourly bus service so it could take people two hours to get to an appointment."

Practice manager Sylvia Jessop said: "The move is because we can't provide appropriate community facilities for patients."