THE future of a specialist health unit in Darlington is in the balance.

The Greenbank unit, in the town centre, offers care to people with learning disabilities.

Seven long-stay clients receive support at the centre, and respite care is provided for another seven people.

But the long-term future of the centre will be discussed by Darlington Borough Council's social affairs and health scrutiny committee next week.

A report to the committee says recruitment of staff has always been a problem because of the diverse needs of the individual clients.

Concern has also been expressed about the suitability of the premises.

The report says: "The Greenbank unit facility is a gap in service, which could meet the needs of those people not quite ready for independent living, people who have had to be placed outside the county and people whose own tenancies have broken down.

"The centre itself would not be fit for this use and more detailed work needs to be done to see if the scheme is feasible and affordable."

The matter will be debated when committee members meet in the town hall on Monday.