A CARE trust has signed up to a new initiative aimed at forging a closer partnership between professional health services and the voluntary sector.

Easington Primary Care Trust believes the move will help to ensure the delivery of quality services to residents.

The trust has joined the County Durham Compact, which promotes and supports partnership working between the voluntary/community sector, local authorities and NHS agencies.

It is hoped that by working together, services can be delivered more effectively, in turn leading to improvements for people in all communities across the district.

Trust chairwoman Penny Young said: "It is important we lend support and work alongside volunteers in our community. They provide excellent care, particularly to older people and those with chronic illnesses. I hope signing the County Durham Compact will be the start of a closer partnership between pro- fessional health services and the voluntary sector."