HEALTH workers have received awards after learning about the language and practices of the medical profession.

Twenty healthcare assistants, doctors' receptionists and administrators from practices in Durham and Chester-le-Street were presented with the awards after completing courses.

Seven healthcare assistants completed a ten-month course run by Huddersfield University, covering subjects including health promotion, infection control and carrying out patient investigations.

The remaining award recipients completed a two-day intensive programme in medical terminology, covering language and abbreviations they may encounter in their work.

Lady Ann Calman, chairwoman of Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust, presented the certificates at John Snow House, on Durham University's science park.

* Two non-executive directors have been appointed to Derwentside Primary Care Trust.

They are Kathleen Duggan, of Esh Winning, and Sister Collette O'Byrne of St Mary's Convent, Blackhill.

Ms Duggan worked as a staff nurse at the former Dryburn Hospital in Durham for 27 years before her retirement in 1999.

Sister O'Byrne was headteacher of St Mary's Primary School. Before that she taught at St Mary's Junior School, Blackhill for 24 years.

Since her retirement in 2000, she has organised courses for local parents and visited schools and soup kitchens in Romania.