BOSSES of a rural medical practice in Weardale have offered to meet with a local politician to discuss the planned closure of a life-line dispensary.

Durham County Councillor, John Shuttleworth, has been invited to speak to The Weardale Practice managers at Stanhope Health Centre on Monday (October 23) following its announcement over the sudden closure of St John’s Dispensary, in Upper Weardale.

The offer of meeting comes following reports in The Northern Echo highlighting concerns raised by residents who face up to a 22-mile round-trip to collect their prescriptions from Saturday - or a paid delivery service.

Last week managing partner Vicky Watson said the closure was due to staff shortages and the failure to recruit another dispenser, despite advertising.

In a letter to The Weardale Practice, Cllr Shuttleworth reiterated his “total opposition” to the closure and said: “You will know that the vast majority of your patients are elderly, they cannot drive and bus services in the Upper Dale are somewhat limited.”

He added: “I think it is also a very feeble excuse to now say that you cannot recruit staff as I have seen no advert, or have been made aware of the problem.”