A NEW scheme could provide essential money for improvements to health centres and surgeries in the Durham Dales.

Durham Dales Primary Care Trust (PCT), is to make a bid, along with other agencies, for money from a Government fund aimed at improving NHS buildings.

The Department of Health has allocated £195m for the Local Improvement Finance Trust and it is hoped the money will lead to public and private partnerships working to improve health centres across the UK.

Durham Dales PCT chief executive Andrew Kenworthy said the initiative offered the best opportunity to get money to improve the fabric of its buildings.

He added that staff were working very hard in conditions that were not ideal.