NURSES from across north Durham have met to unveil a strategy to improve nursing services across their area.

The event, at the Mountjoy Research Centre in Durham, was organised by the Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust (PCT).

The strategy has been developed over a number of months and sets out how nursing services will be developed, both to support PCT staff and to ensure that the highest standard of nursing care is provided to patients.

Nurses from across the PCT, including practice nurses, district nurses, health visitors, school nurses and specialist nurses were at the launch to celebrate their joint efforts in developing and implementing the strategy.

Linda Templey, director of Primary and Community Care at Durham and Chester-le-Street PCT, said: "The PCT is responsible for providing community nursing services in the Durham and Chester-le-Street areas.

"We are committed to ensuring that community nursing services in the area are of the highest possible quality and continue to meet patient needs.

"The strategy outlines a number of areas where additional funding is required to develop services and enhance training to further strengthen community-based provision, reduce hospital admissions, impact on public health and to retain staff."

Ann Calman, chairwoman of the Durham PCT, said: "The launch event gave us the opportunity to thank all of the staff, patients, carers and the public who participated in its preparation, for their hard work and commitment to improving nursing services."

A copy of the strategy is available at www.durhamcls-pct.nhs.uk