A PROPOSAL for a care facility in a town populated by military and civilian staff is expected to be submitted in coming months.

The NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group and the Ministry of Defence are working together to produce a "joint-care" facility that will serve everyone in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.

Its hoped the unit, which will be built by 2022, will be able to treat the town’s military and civilian population under one roof.

Paul Cain, of the Ministry of Defence, said: “There is already a large military population in Richmondshire which includes soldiers and their families alongside existing residents and those moving into the area.

“Many additional service personnel and their families will also be re-based onto the Catterick Garrison site in the next ten years – it is therefore essential that there is adequate provision of local services to meet the demand – and that includes healthcare and social care services."

Dr Mark Hodgson, a GP in the town, added: “It’s an exciting opportunity to take the initiative to do something which has not been done before and to complement existing services. Our mission is to create a ‘first-in-the world’ health and care campus by 2022.”

It is understood the groups are currently looking for a suitable location.