TWO family doctors have branded plans to build seven super health centres in Bolton "a scandalous waste of resources".

Two GPs fear patients could feel alienated if the new modern surgeries are built to replace current "outdated" ones.

The £64 million plans will see existing surgeries replaced by facilities offering a host of services normally only available at hospital, including X-rays, blood tests and scans.

But Dr Krishna Korlipara, from the Pike View Medical Centre, Horwich, said: "I don't think these plans add much in terms of real patient benefit. I didn't know anything about it until I read it in the Bolton Evening News.

"If there are too many doctors in one premises, it can leave the patient feeling as if they are attending a hospital, rather than a personal approach where they can relate to the doctor. Elderly people could end up feeling extremely lost."

One of the super-centres will be on the site of the Alistair Ross health centre in Breightment, and another at the Avondale centre in Halliwell. The remaining centres will be in Farnworth, Horwich, Little Lever and Westhoughton, and there will be a separate centre for children in Halliwell.

Dr Ian James, from Spring House Surgery, Chorley Old Road, said: "I have practised for more than 25 years, and my partners and I run a medium-sized practice with a large proportion of elderly patients.

"We attempt to build a personal relationship with each patient, and there's no question that their overwhelming preference would be to continue with the existing system.

"I think it's a scandalous waste of resources to draw up plans for super-surgeries."

Current health centres and doctors' surgeries have been described as "cramped and outdated" by the borough's health chiefs.

Lack of space makes recruitment of staff difficult, and it can prevent expansion of services and the installation of facilities for disabled patients.

Dr Kevin Snee, chief executive of Bolton's Primary Care Trust, which will be funding the super-centres along with private investors, said: "We'd be happy to meet any local doctors to talk through their concerns. I hope we'll be able to reassure them that even if they decide to move their practice into one of our planned new buildings, they will not risk losing the personal relationships they currently have with their patients."