HEALTH workers have won top marks for improving communications between deaf and hearing people.

Christine Whitwood, development worker for the Deaf Project in Stanley, organised deaf awareness training for staff from Derwentside Primary Care Trust.

The course covered practical skills for communicating with deaf people.

Thirteen workers from GP practices, including receptionists and administrators, took part and have passed the first module of their Foundation Certificate in Deaf Studies.

Five members of the group have since gone on and passed the second part of the course, on lip reading and hearing aids. A further ten workers are getting to grips with the British Sign Language course.

Judith Lund, acting chairman of the PCT, presented the achievers with certificates at Shotley Bridge Community Hospital this week. She said: "Hopefully, more primary health care staff will complete the deaf awareness certificate, as it will enable the PCT to communicate with and understand the needs of deaf people in Derwentside.

"The PCT is committed to training to a high standard to enable GP staff to become more confident and motivated in providing an efficient and professional service to patients in the GP practices in our area."