part of a multi-million pound refurbishment of a community hospital has been completed.

A £1.8m extension of the tower block at Shotley Bridge Community Hospital opens today.

It will contain a minor injuries unit and GP out-of-hours service.

The orthopaedic out-patients department will also move in today, with clinics starting on Tuesday.

Services at the department of radiology will cease from noon today and start again on Tuesday in the new department.

During this time facilities will be available at University Hospital of North Durham for patients requiring x-rays.

North Durham Health Care NHS Trust chief executive Steven Mason said: "The £8m refurbishment of Shotley Bridge Community Hospital will be completed by the end of June.

"The opening of the extension to the tower block and out-patients department is a major element of the total scheme.

"These excellent new facilities will provide a modern, comfortable environment for patients attending the minor injuries unit, GP out-of-hours and the orthopaedic out-patients department.

Directorate manager of radiology Barry Stainsby said: "The new x-ray department is a brighter, more pleasant place to work in.

"The Picture Archiving and Communications System (Pacs) is at the forefront of new technology and means patients' images can be viewed on wards, clinics and at other hospitals whenever they are needed."

Emergency nurse practitioner John Golightly said: "As the minor injuries unit is now based in the main tower block, it will make access to the other departments by staff and patients much easier.

"The new examination rooms will also give patients a lot more privacy."

Local GP and chairman of Derwentside Primary Care Group, Dr Jon Levick, said: "If patients need to see a GP urgently out-of-hours, they can make an appointment through NHS Direct and can now be seen in better facilities, alongside other emergency services, including the minor injuries unit and twilight district nursing service."

The Elm Park Road hospital entrance will stay open until June.