A FORMER practice nurse has been appointed director of primary care and performance management with the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust.

Helen Suddes will lead the integration and development of primary care and play a key role in improving and maintaining performance.

She joined Durham Family Health Service Authority in 1993 as a member of the Durham Diabetes Task Force before taking on a variety of management roles with County Durham and Darlington Health Authority.

Since 1999 she has worked part-time implementing a new GP contract while also undertaking some freelance and consultancy work.