Bosses at Doncaster Primary Care Trust (PCT) will Friday (May 9) launch a two months long consultation programme to find out which health services residents would like to access at the NHS centre, which will open from 8am to 8pm every day from early next year.

The government has asked every health area in the country to open one of the centres which are open to everyone, including patients already registered with a family doctor practice.

But the Doncaster Local Medical Committee, which represents local MPs, is opposed to the move claiming it will fragment general practice and is a first step towards privatisation of services. Since the project was announced, the Free Press has received dozens of letters on the subject expressing a range of views.

PCT chief executive Jayne Brown said the decision to set up the surgery had been made - which was "good news" for Doncaster - and now health chiefs were keen to hear what people want from the surgery.

She commented: "Appointments will be offered on a 'drop-in' or pre-booked basis, so patients can plan their care needs around their work and lifestyle commitments. This is a chance for patients to help us develop the kind of services they want to see.

"The key local benefit will be 'flexibility. Patients have told us they want more opportunities to access family doctor services at different times of the day and we have listened to them."

PCT staff have arranged a series of public meetings to explain their plans and from tomorrow people will be able to find out more by visiting a dedicated section on the trust's website – www.doncasterpct.nhs.uk

A special consultation document and freepost response form – also accessible online - will be available at local libraries, doctors' surgeries and community venues. Closing date for responses is July 4.

Five public meetings have also been arranged as follows: May 22, 10am -12noon, Bullcroft Memorial Hall, Carcroft; June 3, 1pm-3pm, Community Centre, Moorends; June 7, 11am-1pm, Danum Hotel, Doncaster town centre; June 9, 1pm-3pm, Ivanhoe Centre, Conisbrough; June 25, 7pm-9pm, Pheasant Bank School, Rossington. For more information ring Emma Farmer, from the PCT, on 01302 320111.

The new surgery will initially be based in existing premises at Cavendish Court, Bennetthorpe, where Doncaster's emergency out-of-hours service and Dove Practice currently operate from. The longer-term plan is to either create a new building, or convert an existing one, within a half-mile radius of Doncaster town centre to provide a permanent base for the 8am-8pm service.

Later this year Doncaster PCT will put the new service out to tender. Adverts asking for expressions of interest from potential providers have already appeared in the press. Existing family doctor practices and other health care providers will be eligible to bid and local people will be involved in the selection process.