ACCESS to a doctor, nurse or health visitor in Droitwich could be almost doubled by the creation of a new centre, health chiefs have claimed.

Plans for the proposed new centre in Ombersley Street East would provide enough space for up to 22 full-time GPs.

Currently the town has 12 GPs working at two practices.

The exact proposals for the development of a new centre on the site of the former magistrates' courts are still under wraps by South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust.

But speaking at a meeting of the Droitwich Area Forum the PCT's development manager, Alec Kendall, assured residents they would see a great improvement to services.

"The current health centre is very cramped and needs replacing," he said.

"The PCT has secured the revenue funding and the GPs have a third party developer to help fund the construction."

He added: "The floor space will be nearly double that of the current centre and we will have room for more professionals providing a range of services."

Negotiations are still taking place with Worcestershire County Council over the sale of the court building.

Mark Heel, a former patient of the current health centre, said he was delighted with the new proposals.

Speaking at the same meeting he said: "The number of people in this town have far outstripped the number of GPs. These figures are heart warming to hear."

Mr Heel, of Burrish Street, said he had suffered an injury at work last year, and when he tried to get an emergency appointment there were no doctors available at the health centre.

"It's good to know there is now something positive happening," he added.

The idea for the new development was first considered 18 months ago.

Droitwich Civic Society has put forward proposals for the development of the site, which would include the health centre on the first floor, shops on the ground floor, a new police station and a council one-stop shop.