DEESIDE Medical centre is to stay open, health bosses have announced.

Fears had been raised the 5,800 patients who use the Shotton site would have to transfer to the Quay Medical Centre in Connah’s Quay after Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said it was looking at closure if no suitable doctors were found to take over the practice.

But services will be retained after three quarters of patients who took part in a public consultation expressed a desire to remain at the site.

A spokesman for the health board said: “Following the recent appointments process, the health board is pleased to announce that the General Medical Services contract for the Deeside Medical Centre has been awarded to Dr Yusaf and Dr Zahid.

“The application was based on retaining services at the current location and included a commitment to making a number of improvements to these premises.

“The decision has been assisted by feedback received following an exercise to seek the views of the current patients of the practice in relation to a possible relocation of services to the new primary care centre in Connah’s Quay. “

Shotton councillor Ann Minshull was one of those who led the campaign to keep the site open.

She said: “I’m very pleased we have retained it. I would like to thank everyone who signed the petition and supported retaining it.

“People power won. It is fantastic for Shotton that we are not losing the facility.”

The site on Chester Road East has a catchment area of Connah’s Quay, Hawarden, Mancot, Queensferry, Garden City, Sandycroft, Sealand and Northop Hall and a public consultation ended last month.

Sealand councillor Christine Jones, who was also part of the campaign, said: “This is amazing news. I would like to thank everyone who signed the petition and sent the consultation letters back.

“This is brilliant for businesses in Shotton and our pharmacy in Sealand.”

Earlier this month Flintshire Council’s deputy leader Tony Sharps joined the campaign and wrote to Mary Burrows, chief executive of the health board, calling for the centre to remain open.

He said: “I’m delighted. This is good news for the patients.”