HEALTH bosses are planning to replace an urgent care centre staffed by doctors with a minor injuries centre run by nurse practitioners.

The family doctors who run the NHS North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group believe that most patients who currently use the urgent care centre at Shotley Bridge Community Hospital will be better served the new minor injuries unit and by making more GP appointment slots available at local practices.

It follows feedback from patients which shows that 6 out of 10 patients attending the Shotley Bridge urgent care centre could have seen their own GP, had an appointment been available.

Health bosses believe the remaining 40 per cent of patients who attend the UCC will either be able to get the treatment they need at the new nurse-run minor injuries unit or be seen at the consultant-led accident and emergency department at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City.

The new Minor Injuries Centre at Shotley Bridge Hospital will replace the existing urgent care centre on Monday January 5.

Between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday, most patients with minor illnesses or injuries should be able to get an appointment with their own GP.

But the minor injuries unit will continue to see patients who require treatment for minor injuries such as abscesses, bites, bruises, cuts, lacerations and scratches, burns and scalds, ear and eye injuries, minor head and neck injuries, sprains, strains and fractures.

During weekends and overnight patients in the area who have an illness or minor injury will be advised to ring the NHS 111 helpline. Operators will advise them on whether they need to see a GP at the out- of -hours centre at Shotley Bridge Hospital, whether they need to speak to a doctor or whether they need a home visit.