AN EXTRA £4m will be pumped into the health services in rural County Durham.

Durham Dales Primary Care Trust will use the extra cash to offer better access to services, carry out more operations and cut waiting times.

The trust's annual budget has been increased by £6.625m to £83m for the next financial year which, after inflation and cost increases, leaves around £4m to expand existing services and develop new ones.

The funds come from £22.7m additional revenue which will be invested in local health care over the next three years.

After months of consultation with hospitals, local authorities, social services, staff and patients, the trust has created a three-year local delivery plan.

In the first year, 2003/2004, £1.4m will be spent on improving access to doctors and nurses in general practices, reducing hospital waiting times and improving Accident and Emergency services.

GPs will be given access to the newest medicines available due to an extra £1.1m investment. People with heart disease and diabetes should benefit from greater access to new cholesterol-lowering medication such as statins and super statins.

Mental health services are to be boosted, particularly for people with learning disabilities and dementia. Cancer services are to be expanded to reduce waiting times for treatment.

At least £500,000 will be used to fund more heart operations and reduce waiting times for coronary artery bypass operations.

The trust also plans to use £100,000 of the extra funding towards building work and renovation of health centres and community hospitals.

Trust chief executive Andrew Kenworthy said: "We will pursue these aims with the resources available to us and demonstrate value for money, effective practice and innovation."

Copies of the local delivery plan are available on (01388) 458835 or at www. durhamdales-pct.nhs.uk