INJURED striker Kevin Phillips went to the doctor's yesterday - but this time it was to open a new health centre.

The cramped, rundown surgery at Bowburn, near Durham City, has been replaced with a modern medical centre.

The Sunderland and England striker, who is recovering from an injury, formally opened the Bowburn Medical Centre, and told patients: "It's a shame we have moved away from the area. I can see you have done a fantastic job."

A larger medical facility has been built near to the old centre, which is now boarded-up.

Compared to its tiny predecessor, the new centre has two doctor's consulting rooms, a nurse treatment room, a nurse consulting room, large waiting area, separate play area for children and improved facilities for disabled people.

Built under the controversial Private Finance Initiative (PFI), it is part of a programme of surgery improvements by the Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust.

Theresa Huddart, development facilitator for the trust, said: "In the past month, fantastic premises have also been completed and opened to patients at Meadowfield. Dr Nair's surgery in Pelton Fell has also been extended over the past few months."

Cestria Surgery, in Chester-le-Street, is being refurbished and work will soon start to update the Bridge End Surgery in the town.

Dr Anton Pollard, who is hoping to take on a part-time partner, said: "We now have very good facilities for the patients."

Dr Pollard was impressed at the modernisation programme in primary care but stressed that more needed to be done to overcome the growing problem of GP shortages.

"It is very serious problem. I haven't had a holiday for years. It is very, very difficult to get a locum," he added.

He has so many patients his practice is now closed to new applicants.