THE first privately-run NHS treatment centre in the region is due to open next month.

Patients from Wearside, Tyneside and Northumberland will be able to go to the new Cobalt NHS Treatment Centre, North Tyneside, for a range of treatments.

The centre, managed and run by the Swedish health care company Capio, will provide surgery for hernias, varicose veins, minor skin problems and carry out some diagnostic tests.

It is contracted to treat around 10,000 NHS patients over the next five years and GPs can begin referring people from the middle of May.

This week, Capio announced that two Hungarian surgeons and a German anaesthetist will staff the new Tyneside treatment centre.

The only other privately-run independent treatment centre due to open in the region is at York. The new unit, being built in Shipton Road, is due to open in January next year and is also run by Capio.

GPs across North Yorkshire will be able to refer NHS patients to the new York centre for a range of treatment later this year.

A number of North-East NHS patients have been treated at the Cleveland Nuffield private hospital and the BUPA private hospital in Washington in recent years.

Following the clinching of a new deal between the Department and Health and the BUPA group more patients are expected to be referred to the Washington hospital for a range of diagnostic treatments and surgery.