COUNTY councillors are raising no objection to plans to reduce the hours of a minor injuries unit near Consett.

The unit at Shotley Bridge Hospital, manned by nurse practitioners, was set up as part of a controversial health service shake-up in 1996 that centralised accident and emergency care at Dryburn Hospital, Durham.

The minor injuries unit was opened to treat less serious injuries that would have been treated at Dryburn, adding to waiting times. But now the North Durham Health Care Trust wants to cut the unit's opening hours because it says few people use it late in the evening.

It currently opens from 8am until midnight but the trust says an average of 2.5 people use it after 8pm despite publicity campaigns to make people aware that it is there.

The trust now plans to close the unit at 8.30pm each night - although staff will stay on until 9pm to help any late arrivals.

The X-ray unit at Shotley Bridge will close at 5pm and anyone needing emergency scans will be sent to Dryburn.

Durham County Council's Executive Committee heard this week that the Derwentside Primary Care Group - which includes local GPs - is supporting the proposal although it wants clear information to be given to the public about alternative services at Dryburn.

It is calling on the trust not to implement the reduced hours until September so there can be extensive consultation.

The committee voted to raise no objection to the proposal and to echo the primary care group's call for clear public information.

Social services director Peter Kemp said: "Reservations will inevitably be expressed by the public about this further reduction of emergency services at Shotley Bridge Hospital. However, based on survey results, there is little argument against a reduction in the hours of opening.''