FESTIVE treats, Christmas carols and poetry made the opening of a new £2.2m medical practise a memorable affair.

More than 80 people attended the party at Auckland Medical Group’s new surgery on Watling Road, Bishop Auckland, last night (Monday, December 22).

The group, which also has practises in St Helen Auckland and Toft Hill, previously ran a surgery about 500 metres away, in a converted Victorian town house, in Cockton Hill Road.

However, it was felt a modern, spacious and purpose built facility would better serve the needs of the community.

At the official opening party, staff and patients sang carols and tucked into mince pies and Turkish apple tea to celebrate the beginning of a new era.

Dr Ken Airlie, a senior partner at the surgery, gave a short speech, while Dr Karen Smith read a poem she had written about the hopes and expectations surrounding the new building.

But it was seven-year-old Joshua Greenwell, of Barnard Castle, who stole the show with his harp playing and solo renditions of the carols Silent Night and Peace Peace Peace.

Dr Catherine Harrison, who has worked for Auckland Medical Group for 18 years, said: “The new practice is fabulous. It is extremely light and spacious. There is a court yard, disabled access, meeting rooms and a full range of primary care services.

“We have had excellent feedback from patients so far. I think it has given a real boost to the community, as well as the staff who work here.”

Auckland Medical Group is one of the largest general practises in County Durham, serving more than 13,400 people from three sites.

It provides a wide range of medical services including immunisation, sexual health, counselling, physiotherapy, cryotherapy, chiropody, smoking cessation, heart disease, weight reduction and acupuncture, as well as offering mental health and health checks.

The new practice, located on the site of the former Bishop Auckland Fire Station, was due to open in October but road works on Watling Road delayed the project.

Sue Metcalfe, director of commissioning for Durham, Darlington and Tees area team of NHS England, said the new surgery would be an asset to the town.

“Access to medical facilities is vital for maintaining good health in the community, so it’s important that services can be used whenever they are needed,” she said.

“This development is great news for people in Bishop Auckland. It provides a purpose-built facility which offers good access to medical care in a convenient location.”