INTENSIVE therapy units (ITU) at two south Durham hospitals have been awarded a Charter Mark in recognition of their efforts to improve services.

The award was made to the ITU at Darlington Memorial and the critical care unit on Ward One at Bishop Auckland.

Charter Marks are given to public sector organisations that show they have listened to their customers and made changes to deliver better services.

Within the ITU, improvements have been made to staff training and to the way the units help patients with communication difficulties.

Iain Veitch, clinical service manager of both units, said: "This prestigious award is recognition for the whole team, including porters, physiotherapists and dieticians, without whom the service would not be the same. It is a great credit to the nursing and medical staff who always put the well-being of the patient and their relatives at the forefront of their work."

County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust now holds six Charter Marks.