THE public have helped health chiefs improve local services by taking part in a survey.

The first patient survey undertaken by Sedgefield Primary Care Trust (PCT) was sent to 850 people and almost half that number responded.

The aim of the survey was to provide feedback from patients about services provided by the trust to identify areas for improvement.

The results were very positive, with people praising GPs, receptionists, nurses, health visitors and NHS staff.

Information from the survey will be included in the trust's guide to local health services and its annual report.

Heather Inglis, public involvement manager for the trust, said: "The PCT will be using the information to identify areas of strong performance and to highlight areas in which we could improve services for local people and particularly their experiences of care.

"We will then develop an action plan to help us focus our efforts towards quality improvement for patients."

Comments from the survey will be discussed with local people at the trust's second listening event next month, which will give them a chance to have their say on local health services.

Anyone interested in attending the meeting can contact Ms Inglis on 0191- 301 3021.