NHS chiefs are pushing ahead with plans to shut Peterlee Urgent Treatment centre overnight.

Proposals were revealed earlier this year by care bosses, who said low patient numbers after midnight mean it isn’t necessary to keep running a full set of services at Peterlee Community Hospital.

And following a four-week survey of the patients using the current service a ‘home visiting’ service is set to established instead, although there is not yet a timeline for the new system to be implemented.

Clair White, head of commissioning at Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield (DDES) Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “Half of respondents felt their treatment could have been provided at home and were passionate and said they could see the benefits in not having to come out late at night [for treatment].

“There was a perception people could get X-rays overnight, but they couldn’t, that is a day time only service, and activity across the site has been stagnant for many years.”

Ms White was speaking at Friday’s meeting of Durham County Council’s Adults, Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

In April concerns were expressed about the potential impact of the shake-up, especially whether the controversial 111 service would be able to manage the changes properly.

At the time, director of commissioning Sarah Burns said: “Usage is low between midnight to 8am because people are asleep, it’s only people who are ill who are contacting for appointments.

“Nothing has changed at Peterlee."

Over the survey period, 56 per cent of patients who used Peterlee Urgent Treatment Centre between midnight – 8am were walk-ins, while the remaining 44 per cent booked through NHS111.

The CCG’s governing body, which would make the final decision on any change, is next due to meet on November 26.