PATIENTS at a Middlewich doctors' surgery that will be affected by plans to build a medical super centre in the town say they want to stay where they are.

As reported in the Guardian in February, Dr Peter Curbishley, from Acorns Surgery, expressed concerns about Central Cheshire Primary Care Trust's plans to build a medical centre that would create more jobs and allow medical services to expand.

Dr Curbishley feared moving into a new centre would have a serious impact on the service his patients receive and asked them to take part in a survey to help decide whether they should opt in or out of the proposed centre.

And patients have voted overwhelmingly to stay at the Wheelock Street surgery.

Dr Curbishley thanked the patients for taking part and said: "They make interesting reading and are outstandingly supportive of the surgery and the need for the surgery to remain independent preferably on this site."

But although patients want to stay where they are, there are no plans to extend the surgery.

Dr Curbishley said: "All I can specifically say is that at this moment in time there would appear to be no likelihood of the PCT supporting us in any way in extending on site because there are no funds for such a capital development."

Nicola Morgan, facilities manager at Central Cheshire PCT, praised the staff at Acorns Surgery for conducting the survey and said the surgery would not be forced to join the scheme if doctors and patients were seriously opposed to the plans.

She said: "This is just an offer to try to get us all working together. It's very much the GPs' decision and we would recommend that all practices let their patients know it's a possibility."

A property developer is currently trying to source a suitable location for the centre.