A NEW surgery in Weymouth is just what the doctor ordered.

The Great Oaks Surgery has opened its doors at the Littlemoor Health Centre, Louviers Road, offering a range of additional health care for the community.

Councillor Mark Tewkesbury says the surgery is a fitting reward for months of campaigning after plans were announced to close the previous surgery at the site.

The surgery, whose name was chosen by locals, will have extended opening hours on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and will open on Saturdays from 9am-10.30am.

Coun Tewkesbury said: "We have not just saved a doctor's surgery but replaced it with a better one. It has a nurse practitioner. It's a big reward for a lot of hard work."

Dorset Primary Care Trust's director of strategic development Carole Lawrence-Parr said: "We are encouraging patients to let us know what services they want and to be involved with the surgery."

Dorset PCT's business manager for strategic development Celia Davies said: "There is a steady flow of patients registering and all patients are being offered quick access to a new patient clinic.

"Councillor Tewkesbury has been instrumental in ensuring the health service continued to be provided at Littlemoor.

"We have taken this opportunity to design, develop and implement a service that will meet the needs of the population there."

Health care in Littlemoor has also been given a boost with the launch of a minor ailments scheme at Rowlands Pharmacy, in the Littlemoor Shopping Centre.