HEALTH chiefs have vowed to take on board young people's ideas after a grilling by students who want to influence local services.

Sedgefield Community College hosted a young people's health forum with four executives from Sedgefield Primary Care Trust, who faced an audience of 80 students.

The school council organised the event and pupils spent six months studying health provision and planning the issues they wanted to raise.

Chief executive Nigel Porter, chairwoman Gloria Wills, chairman of professional executive committee Dr Dinah Roy and senior nurse Kathleen Vasey were on the panel. Pupils asked them to provide more information about health services available to young people and said there was a need for more confidential advice and support in school.

They also raised concerns for the health needs of older people in the community and debated the use of Sedgefield Community Hospital.

Mrs Wills said: "It was a very strong and lively debate.

"The ball is now in our court, we will endeavour to do something about the things we have heard."

Durham County Council's community support unit, Youth and Community Services, Sedgefield Patient and Public Involvement Forum and County Durham Service User and Carer Forum also took part.