A MULTI-MILLION pound health centre which could include an operating theatre is planned for Radcliffe.

New proposals being considered by health bosses could result in a state-of-the-art complex being built to give people better access to a wide-range of health care services.

The move has also been taken to prevent any shortage of GPs coming to the town, and to replace outdated facilities.

Ms Penny Ozanne, acting chief officer for the Primary Care Group (PCG) , which has put together the plans, said: "Talks with GPs and health centres in Radcliffe have indicated that the current facilities are not adequate to provide health care into the 21st century."

A review of the town's health services reported how present health centres, which are more than 30 years old, were showing "serious signs of wear and tear". It added that the condition of current premises offering treatment "seriously compromises the potential to offer the range of services required". The centre would, according to the report, attract more GPs to Radcliffe which is vital given the age of current practitioners and the projected scarcity of doctors in the coming years.

It is envisaged that the services currently provided by the town's health centre would be brought together under one roof on a site on Bridgefield Street, which would also house a number of specialist services including the possibility of an operating theatre to deal with minor cases.

Ms Ozanne said: "At the same time patients will have access to other departments such as the social services without having to make many different appointments as is sometimes the case now."

The health centre would cost up to £2.1 million to build.

The centre has received the backing of the Radcliffe Area Board and Bury Council is giving its support to the plans.

However, Bury and Rochdale Health Authority and Bury Healthcare NHS Trust to which the PCG is affiliated, will have the final say on the plans. Following meetings with local doctors, health chiefs are expected to rule on the plans in the coming month.

"There are issues of funding for the centre which still need addressing, but it is good to know that the plans have the backing of local councillors," said Ms Ozanne.

Commenting on the pioneering plans, Coun Barry Briggs, chairman of Radcliffe Area Board, said: "It's at the heart of innovation and has implications outside of Bury."