AMBITIOUS plans to modernise primary care across County Durham have included a new multi-purpose modern community hospital in Barnard Castle.

The replacement of the former Richardson Community Hospital witha one-stop, multipurpose community hospital incorporating mental health facilities, is part of a multi-millionpound investment strategy.

Outline details of 38 separate schemes to build or improve healthcentres, community hospitals and surgeries across the county are due to go before the board of County Durham Primary Care Trust.

In Easington,oneof themost ambitious schemes will involve the £750,000 conversion of a disused waterworks intoabase for health initiatives in east Durham.

The project in Paradise Lane, Easington Colliery, is just one of many schemes across County Durham designed to provide new or refurbished premises for GPs, district nurses, health visitors and other healthcare staff.

The plans will involve construction work in every corner of County Durham – from Derwentside in the north to Teesdale and Easington.

In her report, Sandi Haywood, Acting Director of Corporate Services for the PCT, points out that there has been “significant under-investment inbuildings and facilities across primary care” and it is now national policy to ensure that health and social care should be provided from buildings which are “fit for purpose”.

Projects where funding is in place include: new surgeries for Evenwood, Bishop Auckland, South Hetton; new primary care centres for Wheatley Hill, Seaham, Peterlee and Sacriston; a new community hospital for Barnard Castle; a new health centre and two surgeries for Stanley and a new health centre for Newton Aycliffe.

Schemes where there are still unresolved funding issues include: new health centres for Crook and Shotton Colliery; an expanded surgery for Murton; a new branch surgery for Easington Colliery and new surgeries for Lanchester, Pelton, Sherburn, Coxhoe, Middle Chare, Langley Park, Brandon Lane, Cockfield and Middletonin-Teesdale.