HEALTH officials are aiming to reduce the number of emergency hospital admissions for people suffering chronic conditions.

The Darlington, Durham Dales, and Sedgefield primary care trusts are investigating ways of providing patients with conditions including diabetes and asthma more support, in order to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.

Louise Bickle, a trained nurse and midwife, has been appointed to manage the project.

She said the three trusts had high rates of emergency admissions to hospital compared with other places in the North-East.

"The Department of Health states that about 80 per cent of all GP consultations are for chronic diseases," she said.

"They are twice as likely to be admitted to hospital and stay in hospital disproportionately longer. So we are now looking at new ways to deliver increased support and nursing care.

"We will be looking at reviewing roles and hope to provided increased support to aid self care. We will also include pharmacists in the redesigning of services as many people with chronic diseases are on complex medicine regimes."

Health experts in Darlington are also exploring the use of US models of care, where a nurse specialist works with 20 to 30 patients in their own homes to manage their conditions.

"For example, such a role could co-ordinate oxygen therapy at home rather than the patient going to their GP and then possibly being admitted to hospital," said Mrs Bickle.

The roles of district and practice nurses may be extended to provide more services outside of hospital.