PATIENTS who need minor surgical procedures will now be able to have their operations at their local hospital - three years after it opened.

Redcar Primary Care Hospital is finally in position to offer minor surgical processes after additional funding was secured to correct design faults in the operating theatres.

The town’s MP, Ian Swales, has campaigned for all of the hospital’s facilities to be fully used since it finished in November 2009 following a £37m investment.

Now, surgeons Lawrence Ajekigbe and Chelliaya Ramanathan will be performing the first day surgery procedures at the hospital next Tuesday.

Patients with skin disorders and some who may need skin grafts will be among the first patients have their surgery at the new local facility.

More complex conditions will continue to be treated at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Lucy Tulloch, associate divisional manager said: “We are delighted to take our theatre services into the heart of the community. Redcar Primary Care Hospital has first class facilities and provides a lovely environment for patients. We look forward to providing more services there in the future.”

Dr Ali Tahmassebi, Langbaurgh locality lead for South Tees Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “As commissioners of local health services for people in the Redcar and Cleveland area, we have been working hard with our colleagues in South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to ensure our services are cost effective and sensitive to the needs of people using them.

“This work ties in with the CCG vision of helping people receive care closer to home and will also help relieve some of the pressure on our busy accident and emergency departments.”

Redcar MP Mr Swales says he has been campaigning for full use of the "excellent facilities" available at the hospital many of which have gone unused since it was opened.

He said: “I’m really pleased that after three years of campaigning on the issue, that the CCG has been able to make the necessary changes to get the hospital up and running properly.

“It’s fantastic that the first class facilities available will be put to proper use and that local people will now have the choice to have minor operations here in Redcar.

“I will continue to work with the CCG and South Tees NHS Trust to make sure we get the best offer for local people.”