HEALTH workers have won top marks for striving to improve communications between deaf and hearing people.

Christine Whitwood, development worker for the Deaf Project in Stanley, ran a course on deaf awareness training for staff from Derwentside Primary Care Trust (PCT), which teaches practical skills for communicating with deaf people.

Thirteen workers from GP practices across the district, including receptionists and administrators, took part and have passed the first module of their Foundation Certificate in Deaf Studies.

Five of the group have already gone on and passed the second part of the course, on lip reading and hearing aids. A further ten workers are getting to grips with the British Sign Language course.

Judith Lund, acting chairman of the PCT, presented them with certificates at Shotley Bridge Community Hospital yesterday.

"I would like to congratulate the 13 healthcare workers on successfully completing their courses and receiving their awards.

"Hopefully, more primary healthcare staff will complete the deaf awareness certificate, as it will enable the PCT to communicate with and understand the needs of deaf people in Derwentside.

"The PCT is committed to providing training of a high standard to enable GP staff to become more confident and motivated in providing an efficient and professional service to patients in the GP practices in our area."