HEALTH chiefs have unveiled plans for Sedgefield's new £8m community hospital.

The scheme has reached an important milestone, with South Durham Health Care NHS Trust announcing its preferred contractor.

The Clugston Group has been given the go ahead to firm up its proposals for the new hospital, which will be built on a green field site on the outskirts of the town.

A single-storey building will house specially designed clinical accommodation to meet modern standards of patient-centred care.

Innovative landscape designs will include gardens that patients can enjoy and secluded courtyards.

The new hospital will replace the existing 50-year-old accommodation.

There will be 16 beds for GPs' patients, ten elderly care beds and 20 elderly mental health beds, as well as two day hospitals for elderly patients.

Plans include an extended x-ray department with ultrasound service alongside facilities for existing outpatient and other services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics and foot health.

Paul Trippett, chairman of South Durham Health Care NHS Trust, said: "The plans for the long-awaited new community hospital at Sedgefield are now finally taking shape.

"We are looking forward to working with Clugston to build a modern facility that patients and staff can benefit from for many years to come."

Once detailed plans have been finalised they will be fully assessed by the regional office of the NHS Executive to ensure they offer the best value for money.

If everything goes to plan, final approval is expected in March 2001 and the new hospital will open in April 2002.

Sandy Taylor, chief executive of County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust, said: "This is a very significant and positive step for the provision of both mental health and elderly services in the Sedgefield area and it is very much welcomed by this Trust."

Dr Dinah Roy, chairman of Sedgefield Primary Care Group, said: "This community hospital will provide a focus for the best-quality local health services for the people of Sedgefield and Sedgefield Primary Care Group welcomes the development.