A PROPOSAL to transfer all major urological surgery in County Durham to Sunderland looks likely to go ahead.

Seven public meetings about the proposed changes have taken place in recent months, and a wide range of NHS organisations have had the opportunity to comment.

There have been no formal objections to the proposals, and responses have generally been favourable.

The plan is to centralise all in-patient urological treatment at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

All other services, such as clinics, day case operations and follow-ups, would continue at local hospitals, including the University Hospital of North Durham and Bishop Auckland General, to avoid unnecessary travel for patients.

In a report due to be discussed by Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust (PCT) on Thursday, board members will be told that doctors in Durham and Sunderland are confident that the proposed new unit on Wearside would provide a service which would be "among the best in the country".

Individuals taking part in the consultation have raised the issue of the relatively high level of hospital-acquired infections at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Board members will be told that officials have a plan to address this issue and the lead consultant has pointed out that the urology service at Sunderland has the lowest rate of hospital-acquired infection in the entire City Hospitals Sunderland Foundation Trust.

Patient and Public Involvement Forums have generally been supportive of the proposed changes, along with the local authority overview and scrutiny committee.

As part of moves to increase access, the Sunderland hospital trust is to create an extra 200 car parking spaces.