LIVING conditions for junior doctors at Bishop Auckland Hospital will be brought into line with national recommendations after approval of an £87,000 facelift.

Accommodation at the hospital will be upgraded after the board of South Durham Health Care NHS Trust yesterday agreed to giving priority funding for the project.

The work will bring residences in line with requirements of the Royal Colleges and the Junior Doctors Task Force, giving them a two-star rating based on the Hospital Accommodation Charter.

Improvements to the two accommodation blocks, which contain 30 bedrooms, include double-glazing, heating controls in each room, new carpets and floor coverings, new furniture and bathroom refurbishments.

Closed-circuit cameras and improved locks have recently been fitted at the hospital.

The trust is also looking to make improvements to the doctors' accommodation at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Dr Richard Prescott, consultant physician and clinical tutor at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, said: "The junior doctors are valued members of our team and it is important that we provide them with a good standard of living accommodation.