A NEW half-way house for elderly patients coming out of hospital has opened at Sacriston.

The Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust is renting two flats in the Graham Court sheltered housing complex for people who are not ready to return home.

As well as releasing valuable hospital beds, the new facility gives patients the chance to live semi-independently for six weeks with the care they need on hand.

The project, which is costing £30,000 for the first six months, also involves Chester- le-Street District and Durham County councils and the County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals Trust.

The first to benefit is John 'Jack' Pearson, 77, of West Rainton, who has spent almost six weeks in one of the flats following an operation.

Denise Elliott, the trust's specialist nurse for older people, said: "The aim of the facility is to provide a secure yet comfortable environment for older people who are unable to return to their own homes.

"The flat gives older people another option to enable hospital discharge and will help to reinforce independent living in a home environment.

"The client will undergo an individualised rehabilitative programme including occupational therapy, home care visits and housing advice, during their stay in the flat."