WAITING times to see doctors or nurses have been cut at five GP practices under a new booking system.

The project, which has been overseen by Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust, began in September and aimed to improve patient access to health professionals.

Results from the first six months show the average waiting times for a GP appointment were cut by 61 per cent, and by 50 per cent to see a nurse.

West Rainton Surgery, Chastleton Surgery in Framwellgate Moor, Cestria Health Centre at Chester-le-Street, Dunelm Medical Group, at Bearpark, Gilesgate and Framwellgate Moor, and Brandon Lane Surgery, Brandon, have all been working closely with Alison King, the trust's access facilitator.

Systems have been introduced to help patients access services provided by the practices, and users and staff have been asked for their views.

The project is part of a policy to meet Government NHS targets to reduce GP waiting times.

A routine appointment should be available within 48 hours and with other care professionals, such as a nurse, within 24 hours.

The system overseen by Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust not only reduces waiting times, but has reduced the number of people not attending appointments by about 75 per cent.

Some practices also offer telephone consultations when patients ring up to make an appointment.

This helps to cut the number of people needing to attend the surgery for advice only.

Trust chief executive Andrew Young said: "One of the key priorities for the primary care trust is to improve access for people in Durham and Chester-le-Street to family health services.

"As patients do not have to wait days to see their GP, fewer people fail to attend which means fewer appointments are wasted.

"Doctors can see more patients more quickly, cutting waiting times."

Mr Young congratulated all five practices and Ms King for their achievements, and said he hoped to see the project spread to other surgeries in the area.