YOUNG doctors could complete their training in Blackburn.

Barbara Castle Way Health Centre could act as a base for trainee doctors from Manchester University during the final year of their course from August.

The students would be seconded to the health centre for hands-on training.

A planning application has been submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council to convert the old Bathurst House Residential Care Home in Bathurst Street, Blackburn, into accommodation for up to 11 students.

The home catered for adults with learning disabilities and mental health before its closure in 2013.

Last month, Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Group heard the borough struggled to attract new doctors to the area compared to richer parts of the country.

Several initiatives to try and recruit new GPs to the area had so far been unsuccessful.

Dr Malcolm Ridgway said health bosses needed to find ways to make a GP’s job more attractive to bring doctors to the area because they struggle to compete in terms of location.

He said: “All the initiatives we have tried didn’t work. Ultimately it is about how do we make the job attractive and then we can look at how can we make the location attractive.

“It is never going to be as attractive as Oxfordshire or Cornwall. I think Blackburn itself is doing a lot of work to make itself attractive but there are some places it just can’t compete with.”

Dr Issak Bhojani, who is based at The Family Practice in the health centre, would oversee the supervision of the home.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application reads: “The existing home is well suited for the students' needs.

“It contains 11 en-suite bedrooms, a kitchen-dining room and lounge and toilet facilities.

“There is limited amenity space but Corporation Park is nearby and amenities are probably available at the health centre.

“The owner bought the property in 2013 when it was used as a home for mentally handicapped adults.

“The premises occupies a central position in the town and it is under-used at the present time, which benefits no-one.

“We are of the opinion that our proposal would bring back social activity to the town centre, especially in the evenings.

“It would also be an added benefit for the service provided by the health centre.”