Two GPs' surgeries face moves to help thousands of patients. Health bosses argue that shifting services will provide patients with better co-ordinated care.

Now Bradford South and West Primary Care Trust is set to agree to Dr Brown and partners pulling out of Ann Street surgery, Denholme, while supporting the closure of Hollingwood Lane surgery at Paradise Green, operated by Drs Hardaker and Walker, because they are just not suitable for the patients they serve.

The Hollingwood Lane surgery - which treats about 1,800 patients - is said to be "totally unsuitable for modern general practice" and can't offer proper access to anyone with a disability or infirmity because of steps to the practice.

Patients at Hollingwood Lane often have to visit Cowgill surgery, Clayton, for treatment, too.

The plan would see all of the practice's 3,700 patients living in Scholemoor, Clayton, Paradise Green, and Great Horton at the Clayton surgery.

Only 50 people responded to a public consultation exercise on the Hollingwood Lane closure with concerns about extra travel for patients and liking the surgery despite its shortcomings and worries getting a GP appointment will be more difficult.

The Ann Street plans would see doctors remove the limited surgeries they hold at Ann Street and concentrate on Cullingworth and Wilsden where health chiefs believe they could offer a better service to all 9,700 patients on their books from Harden, Wilsden, Cullingworth, Harecroft, Denholme, Allerton and Sandy Lane.

Patients could transfer to Thornton Medical Practice, which owns the Ann Street Surgery and also provide surgeries.

Main concerns were travel problems for the elderly and young mums with children, the possible implications for the pharmacy in Denholme and a feeling that the town was not a priority for the PCT.

Despite pubic opposition to both plans, a report before the trust board by Gideon Seymour, director of primary care at the PCT, which provides health services for people living in the Denholme and Clayton areas, said the trust should support the proposals.

Anne Jay, Denholme Town Mayor, said: "The Town Council is very disappointed that this is going to happen.

"However we appreciate the problems that the doctors have been experiencing.

"If they can't staff the surgeries it is difficult to see what other option they have."

The trust meets in public at Clayton Village Hall, Reva Syke Road, Clayton, tomorrowtue, mar 18, at 1.30pm.