AN NHS Trust has been successful in securing £540,000 funding to help fight the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust will receive £110,000 immediately from the Department of Health, £180,000 for each of the next two financial years and £70,000 in 2007.

From 2007-2008, local primary care trusts will provide funding for the service.

The funding means the trust can appoint two consultants and a doctor in genitourinary medicine (Gum).

Additional nurses and health advisors will also be appointed. Health advisors speak to the partners of people who have contracted an STI, provide counselling for rape victims and HIV sufferers, and give advice and support on teenage pregnancies and family planning.

New medical equipment will also be bought and it is anticipated that Gum clinics and facilities will be more accessible.

The Gum service for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust is provided on a satellite basis by South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust. It consists of a part-time consultant with nursing and health advisor support.

The waiting time for an appointment with a Gum expert is about six weeks. Once the medical and nursing appointments have taken place, the aim is that patients should wait no longer than 48 hours to see a Gum expert.

Marion Miskimmin, outpatients manager at the trust, said: "I'm really pleased the trust has managed to secure this funding. It will make a vast difference to the Gum services provided in Hartlepool, Stockton and east Durham.

"The extra funding means we will be able to reduce waiting times for outpatient appointments and give patients the treatment they need quickly. This should help reduce the spread of infection."