HEALTH chiefs in Sedgefield borough have already made some changes to services after listening to residents' views.

Members of Sedgefield Primary Care Trust (PCT) are getting closer to the local community by meeting people to discuss their needs.

The first meeting saw trust members invited to join a Shildon Sunnydale Residents' Association meeting.

Heather Inglis, public involvement manager for the trust, said: "The next one will take place in September with the Ferryhill Lakes Residents Association and we hope that this meeting will also be a big success."

Issues raised at the Shildon meeting including long waiting lists, the cost of prescribed medicine and problems with hospital appointments.

But people were complimentary about having quick access to GP surgeries, the prescription collection service from pharmacies and mental health services provided at the Josephine Rutter and Hardwyke Centres.

Ms Inglis said: "The issues raised at the meeting will now be shared with other health care providers and the PCT will feedback on what progress has been made when we meet with the residents' association again in six months."