THE mental health in-reach services team for the Durham Cluster of Prisons has received awards for its work.

They won the excellence award and were runners-up for the partnership working award, for achievements last year, and received the accolades from Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust chairman Eileen Grace.

The 14 award categories attracted more than 150 individual and team entries from across the trust, nominated by colleagues, patients and carers.

Mrs Grace said: "This team has managed to dramatically improve the level of mental health care in three prisons by forming an effective partnership which is able to adjust the changing needs for healthcare.

"The service is a good example of partnership working."