HOPES that villagers in Pool and Arthington could soon get their own doctor's surgery have been dashed by the Leeds North West Primary Care Trust.

The group, which is responsible for GP provision in the area, was approached by Leeds City Councillor Clive Fox (Con, Otley and Wharfedale) last year to consider the idea.

But while acknowledging that the population justifies the equivalent of one full-time GP, the PCT says none of the existing local practices have shown a willingness to set up a new surgery.

The Trust also argues that the logistics of setting up a modern, computer networked doctor's surgery in Pool would be difficult.

But Coun Fox believes the PCT has not looked properly at all the issues. He said: "There used to be a doctor's surgery in Pool many years ago. At the moment patients are having to travel to Bramhope, Otley and elsewhere simply to see their GP and not everyone has access to a car.

"The bus services are inadequate and have recently got worse, so it becomes a real problem for the many people without a car."

Andrea Walker, the PCT's Head of Locality, said creating a Pool practice would be impractical. She also said that the existing local practices all offer telephone consultation appointments and a home visiting service.

Coun Fox, however, said none of those factors removed the need for a local surgery. "As to the inadequate bus service, the PCT claims the situation has improved under the rural transport scheme. But this takes no account of the times when surgeries in Otley are actually open.

"It may be possible to get to Otley for evening surgery but there are problems getting back to Pool."

The Chairman of Pool Parish Council, Hazel Lee, said she had been unaware of Coun Fox's bid - but would have been delighted if it had succeeded.

She said: "I can't speak for the parish council because we haven't discussed it recently. A surgery would be something that Pool desperately needs but I can't see the logistics of it at all, because I don't know where you would put it."