THOUSANDS of people are to benefit from an initiative designed to improve health and social care in Darlington.

The scheme will be launched on Monday targeting people aged 18 and over with a physical or sensory impairment and elderly people.

Called the Single Assessment Process, it will bring together Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Darlington Borough Council in a joint approach to care.

Community nurses, therapists, support staff, doctors and hospital staff will work with social workers and housing officials in an effort to ensure residents' needs are met.

People will be asked just once for personal and medical information. They will undergo a comprehensive assessment of their health and social care needs, leading to an individual care plan which, with their permission, will be shared by all the professionals they come into contact with.

Darlington PCT's nurse development facilitator Win Suggett said: "We think the new system will be excellent.

"It will improve access to health and social care and provide seamless partnership working for people within the borough of Darlington."

For details, contact social services on (01325) 346200 or the PCT's district nursing services on (01325) 746222.