THE woman in charge of County Durham's newly-unified primary care trust (PCT) has ordered a review of medical and dental premises.

Yasmin Chaudhry, a former midwife who has held a variety of senior managerial posts in the North-East NHS over the past 25 years, believes that many doctor's surgeries and dental practices remain below par.

While tens of millions of pounds have been invested in hospitals across County Durham in recent years, Mrs Chaudhry believes it is time to improve the standard of premises in primary care.

"I have asked officers to carry out a review of the whole PCT estate," said Mrs Chaudhry, who is married to a Middlesbrough GP.

"One of the first things I did was to ask officers to draw up a priority list of premises which need attention."

In some cases, refurbishment might be appropriate, while in others, another building may be necessary.

She acknowledged that "lots of projects" are currently under way across County Durham's primary care sector, but said that the premises in use by the system are often poor.

Mrs Chaudhry also revealed that the new PCT, which replaces five smaller County Durham PCTs, has secured capital from the Department of Health to improve dental premises.

Another aim is to make greater use of pharmacists, particularly in rural areas, who now have extra powers to prescribe medication.

Mrs Chaudhry also disclosed that the PCT is working with local authorities on submitting a bid to improve the provision of community hospitals in County Durham.

Like every other NHS organisation in the North-East, County Durham PCT is required to make administrative savings of 15 per cent this year.

Mrs Chaudhry acknowledged that jobs would go as a result of the recent mergers, but said she expected most of posts to be lost through natural wastage.

The new system of using groups of GPs to commission local health care was being set up, she added.

PCT staff would have a new role in supporting decision-making by GPs in their areas.

Mrs Chaudhry said an "outpost" of the PCT would remain in each of County Durham's old PCT areas.

"We are actually devolving the power to local people. We will set up a locality structure to support them," she added.