A NEW consultant has started work in Sedgefield borough and the Durham Dales in a role created to care for patients in the community.
Dr Jenny Skinner, who specialises in palliative medicine, will work with GPs and district nurses to help with the care of patients with incurable and progressive illness.
The post, as well as more than £390,000 awarded by the New Opportunities Fund, will help develop clinics, day care and home services with the Butterwick Hospice.
Care of patients will include appointing an overnight palliative care nurse and a full-time co-ordinator for the South Durham Hospice at Home scheme and expanding the South Durham Hospice at Home scheme.
It also aims to develop satellite hospice day care at Richardson and Weardale community hospitals and to integrate Sedgefield Borough Council's Carelink into the service.
Dr Skinner said: "Because we cannot cure an illness does not mean there is nothing else we can do to help patients and their carers. I hope my post will enable us to care more effectively for these patients in their own homes."
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