DOCTORS at the Castle Practice now have a new state-of-the-art surgery in Tidworth in which to undertake their consultations.

The new surgery, at Drummer Lane of Station Road, has a suite of rooms for nurses, midwives, mental health workers, a phlebotomist, guidance councillors, health visitors and consultants.

The practice, which has six partners, a salaried GP and a GP registrar, has around 10,000 patients on its books and around 40 per cent of them use the existing facilities in Tidworth while others attend in Ludgershall.

The old surgery building at Elm House was sold to developers after it was realised it would be too difficult and expensive to upgrade the facilities to meet modern healthcare needs and the demands of the Disability Discriminat-ion Act. Paul Bessant, the practice manager, said ultimately the practice will be able to take on more minor ops and procedures that currently need to be done in Winchester or Salisbury. The development could lead to the opening of a minor injur-ies unit in Ludgershall.

For the full story see Friday's Andover Advertiser.