DOCTORS from around County Durham will have to cover for colleagues when they close their surgeries for half a day to take part in a training exercise.

Dozens of GPs from the Sedgefield area will take part in a training exercise to brush up their skills.

The course is run by the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust, and doctors from around County Durham will provide medical cover for those taking part in the scheme.

Earlier this month, doctors working in the dales took part in a similar exercise and GPs in Sedgefield provided medical cover.

The Time Out scheme has been running since last April and was developed by the Durham Dales and Sedgefield Primary Care Trusts to provide training and development for GPs and surgery staff.

Dr Dinah Roy, local GP and chairman of the Sedgefield Primary Care Trust executive committee, said: "Doctors, nurses, therapists, managers and receptionists can only deliver high quality care if we devote regular time to maintaining and enhancing their skills and knowledge.

"Unfortunately, the daily life of a busy practice doesn't allow enough time for this important work to be squeezed in. This is why we created the Time Out scheme.

"Feedback from staff indicates the first two events have been a success and the trust is supporting this programme.

"By setting aside an afternoon as protected time for learning, the trust is supporting practices in their drive to continuously improve quality and extend the range of services they offer patients."

Participating practices in Sedgefield will be closed between noon and 7pm on Wednesday, but emergency cover will be available.

For details, people can call their local surgery's general number