PLANS to create an £11million health care centre in Darwen have been unveiled.

The new centre will combine several existing GP surgeries and the town's health centre, and will be built next to Darwen Leisure Centre, on what is currently a football field.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has agreed to release the land for development and, as part of the deal, has arranged for a new football field to be created elsewhere in the town.

The development, which is still subject to planning permission being granted, is the result of extensive consultation by the Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust.

A spokeswoman for Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust said: "This scheme is intended to provide accommodation for all GPs in Darwen, community nurses, allied health professionals and a community dental service. It will foster the development of an integrated nursing team and offer patients the convenience of a "one stop shop" health facility."

The new Darwen health centre is the trust's priority and will be financed by its private sector partnership scheme called LIFT -- Local Improvement Finance Trust .

Earlier this year the Department of Health approved the development of a joint LIFT for East Lancashire. It will see the development of a new partnership with the private sector, which will fund schemes to improve primary care, and community based health and related services including surgeries and clinics. The PCTs in East Lancashire, along with health practitioners in the area, will become shareholders in the partnership, which is expected to get off the ground in the autumn of 2003.

Coun John Milburn, executive member for resources, said: "This deal is good news for everyone. The district valuer has valued the land and the council will receive a good price.

"We will then be able to plough this money back into the local community while the people of Darwen will benefit from a high class health facility."

Coun Sue Reid, in charge of social services at the council, said: "This one stop shop will improve access to health care in Darwen and enable the primary care trust to deliver good quality services, advice and support local people.

"The PCT has looked at a number of sites and this was found by far to be the best. Now that a site has been identified, further consultation will take place with local people to determine if they are happy with the new site, how they new centre will operate and the type of services it will provide."

Now the public is being invited to have its say.

An open meeting is being held on November 7 at the existing Darwen Health Centre where health chiefs will unveil details of the plans and invite suggestions the public.

Plans for improving primary health facilities in Blackburn with Darwen, which have been drawn up in collaboration with the Borough Council and other local organisations, will also be discussed at the public meeting.

The PCT is keen to hear the views of the public about LIFT and the meeting is an opportunity for members of the public to influence the proposals for a LIFT company.

More information about LIFT, how it will work and the expected benefits for local people will be available to people attending the public meeting which begins at 7pm.