A SHAKE-UP of services by a health group could see three of its four local surgeries replaced with one centre.

Auckland Medical Group hopes to centralise its services by moving to a purpose-built base in Bishop Auckland.

The move, which is the group's preferred option for redevelopment, would mean closing sites in the villages of St Helen Auckland and Coundon and at Cockton Hill Road, in Bishop Auckland.

Its fourth existing site, in Toft Hill, would stay open.

The group says it wants to provide the best possible modern health care to all of its patients but that some of its current facilities are out of date.

Before a decision about the proposal is made, there will be consultation with residents.