HEALTH chiefs have bowed to public pressure with a plan to keep Upton Rocks doctors surgery open.

Locum doctors will provide cover until a permanent GP can be found.

The practice will move to a new portakabin, probably on Heath Road.

The changes were announced at a special board meeting of Halton Primary Care Trust today (Wednesday).

Halton PCT changed its plan to merge Upton Rocks' patients into other surgeries after two stormy public meetings.

More than 2,200 patients faced moving after developers Redrow gave the PCT a December 31 deadline to leave the Cronton Lane site and GP Dr Sharon Chapelhow decided to move to Runcorn.

PCT Chairman Jim Wilson said: "The original proposal was put forward because that was thought to be the best thing for patient safety and continuity.

"What we didn't do was take into account the view of the community. I believe that we have learned a valuable lesson for the future."

The new GP post at Upton could even be filled by two, three of even four part time doctors.

But Halton finds it hard to recruit new GPs - the meeting heard there are 'six or seven' unfilled posts already.

If a GP can't be found, Upton Rocks may still have to merge with another practice and the Upton site would then be used as a satellite surgery - although this alternative would have to be approved by the PCT board.

Should permanent GP cover be found, Upton Rocks would probably be linked to Dr Pandy in Ditton and Dr Kumar in Hough Green, so the doctors can cover for each other during holidays and sickness.

But a long-term solution is still unclear.

"We've got a genuine financial problem in terms of long-term development," said Stephen Parry, PCT chief executive. "We will work to develop a new strategy."

After the meeting Ray Jones, 58, an IT Manager from Hillview said: "I'm quite pleased that they have listened. But I do have concerns about patients who take controlled drugs whose details may need transferring."

Rev ER Corsie, 74, from Cowan Way, said: "It's about the best thing we could have hoped for in the circumstances. But we really wanted Dr Chapelhow to stay."

Colette Griffiths, 47, of the Parklands, said: "Dr Chapelhow was absolutely the best GP. The patient was the most important person in her life for that five or 10 minutes you were in there."

Bernie Micthell, 64, of Hale Village, is Dr Kumar's practice manager.

She said: "Taking everything into account, it's the best option at the moment."

Mr Wilson added: "I'm delighted with the outcome. People seemed generally positive and I think it demonstrates that we listened and that we have changed out proposals."