PATIENTS visiting GPs in two south Durham towns will also be offered advice about claiming benefits.

Trained advisors will be based in the Bishopgate Medical Centre, Bishop Auckland, and Willington Medical Group under an agreement signed by the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust (PCT) with the practices and the Wear Valley Action Team for Jobs.

Patients will be offered advice about claiming incapacity benefits, while the Wear Valley economic forum is developing new employment-related opportunities to encourage people back to work.

Gill Hall, manager of the jobs action team, said: "Reaching out to help people on incapacity benefits, many of whom lack the incentive to return to work, is a priority for our team.

"By working closely with GPs, district nurses and other health professionals, we hope to get the important message across that there is help and support available to anyone who would like to consider returning to the workplace.

"As poor health is often associated with low incomes, there is a natural partnership to be developed with the National Health Service."

Phil Gover, the PCT's joint planning manager, said: "This employment initiative is a tangible step in the right direction if we are to tackle some of the structural determinants of poor health and health inequality."