A CAMPAIGN has been launched calling for a doctor's surgery at Catchgate, near Stanley.

Derwentside District councillor Bill Proud is backing community groups who want a GP service to be set up in Catchgate communal rooms.

He has vowed to raise the £30,000 he estimates it will cost to employ a doctor and rent the space.

On Wednesday, he launched a campaign with a petition to be submitted to Derwentside Primary Care Trust. It will be distributed around the community by members of the residents' association and Catchgate Partnership.

Coun Proud has written to Derwentside District Council, which owns the building, asking for permission to use the land. The council was unable to comment when contacted by the Advertiser.

Derwentside Primary Care Trust is currently consulting residents over plans to build a new health centre in Stanley.

Coun Proud said: "Health matters are critical and an area like Catchgate needs its own surgery."

A Trust spokesman said it and the council had carried out surveys about services in Catchgate. She said: "No gaps in service provision have been identified and the area is quite well served by existing GP surgeries in the vicinity.

"We are happy to work with people and discuss the matter with residents if there are any gaps in service provision."