HEALTHCARE chiefs have struggled to recruit family doctors for Winsford because of the town's 'reputation' - but the problem is being tackled ahead of a £5m super-surgery.

Bosses at the Central Cheshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) said they are recruiting doctors and nurse practitioners for the surgery, which will open in 2006, but admitted they had previously experienced problems getting staff for the town.

The issue was raised in a meeting between the PCT's professional executive committee chairman Dr Bill Forsyth, Winsford's PCT facilitator Caroline Harley and Eddisbury Labour Party candidate Mark Green.

Mr Green, of Moulton, called the meeting after a series of letters questioning the provision of healthcare in Winsford was published in the Chronicle.

He quizzed the PCT staff on the increase in healthcare provision, problems encountered in delivering services in Mid Cheshire and the introduction of the NEW (night, evening and weekend) service.

Mr Green said: 'I wouldn't be here if there weren't problems. If something is not working that's something I need to know.'

Dr Forsyth said Winsford residents may have experienced a poor service in the past because of problems encouraging doctors to join surgeries in the town.

He said: 'Winsford has not enjoyed the most attractive of reputations for people to work in, but I think that is changing.

'We acknowledge that Winsford has had difficulties in GP recruitment over the years, but the number of nursing staff has increased.'

He believes that will change with the introduction of the £5m surgery close to Winsford Cross Shopping Centre, which will amalgamate many of Winsford's surgeries, including High Street Medical Practice, Swanlow Medical Centre and Weaver Vale Surgery.

Ms Harley said: 'We are hoping to recruit GPs before the new-build. We are already working to increase the number of healthcare professionals.

'There are enough rooms for the current practices to have the same number of rooms as they do already, and there will be additional rooms which could be used by new doctors or practice nurses and also for training. There would also be room for further expansion.'

She said the training facilities would help to keep recruitment numbers up in Winsford, allowing the town's GPs to train the doctors of tomorrow - some of which could stay in the town.

Mr Green also asked about the success of the NEW service.

Dr Forsyth said times had changed from the days when GPs had a 'John Wayne-style contract where 'a GP had to do what a GP had to do'. Instead, the contract has passed responsibility of primary care between 6.30pm and 8am on weekdays and throughout the weekends to the PCT.

It replaced the GP outof-hours arrangements in April. It was brought in because of GP contract changes in the hope of stopping GPs leaving the profession and encour-aging recruits.

He said patients who require urgent medical care or advice when their GP practice is closed should call the NEW service on 01270 273666. To find out more, call 0800 5877888.

Mr Green asked if Winsford residents would have to travel out of the town to receive treatment after-hours.

Dr Forsyth said that in 70% of cases advice could be relayed over the phone via experienced nurses, while in certain situations a patient would be directed to walk-in centres at Northwich's Victoria Infirmary or Leighton Hospital.

He said transport to help people get from Winsford to the hospitals was being looked at with the borough council, and confirmed that if there was a clinical need for a home visit doctors would still be available.