COUNCILLORS will meet today to discuss the future role of a community hospital in Barnard Castle.

A presentation about plans to improve services at the Richardson Hospital, in Barnard Castle, will be given to members of Teesdale District Council at a meeting this afternoon.

Andrew Kenworthy, chief executive of the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust, will outline to members an investment programme aimed at securing the long-term future of the community hospital.

The trust has already secured £4.8m from the Government's Local Investment Finance Trust Programme (Lift), which will be used to make improvements to the building.

As well as structural refurbishment, the trust has also vowed to improve out-patient services, care services for elderly people, intermediate care and palliative care.

The funding will also be used to provide patients with more intensive therapy to speed up their recovery. Better access to the hospital and more GP beds will also be provided.

At present the hospital provides a variety of outpatient services and has 61 beds.

Patients from Darlington also use the hospital, and many elderly residents in the dale use the Richardson's day-hospital service, which is open five days a week.

But a review of the hospital in 1999 found more money was needed to improve services if it was to fit in with the Government's push to modernise community hospitals.

A two-month consultation period has already been launched in Teesdale to give residents a chance to put their views across on the proposals.

Public meetings will be held at the Dolphin Centre, in Darlington, Witham Hall, Barnard Castle, next Wednesday, and Evenwood Community Centre on November 11.

All meetings will be held between 7pm and 8.30pm.

Members of the council will meet to discuss the proposals at 2pm, at Teesdale House, in Barnard Castle.