A PIONEERING new health care scheme which aims to provide the best possible care for elderly people has been launched.

Durham Dales Practice has been created by Durham Dales PCT to reach people living in six nursing and residential homes in the area.

It is hoped the scheme, which is a pilot for the rest of the country, will not only meet the specific needs of a vulnerable group but also reduce the pressure on doctors in general practices.

Unlike other practices, which are run by doctors, the Durham Dales Practice will be led by senior nurse Catherine Ormerod.

Mrs Ormerod will manage a team of nurses and work with care home staff to cover the common complaints of older people and employ GPs for broader medical treatment.

It will cover Portland House, in Willington; St Helen Auckland's EMU Unit; Devonshire House, West Auckland; and Bishopgate Lodge, South Church and Howlish Hall homes, all in Bishop Auckland.

The service will provide a prescription service, vaccinations, access to diabetes, coronary heart and chest clinics and links to district nurses, dieticians and a continence nurse.

There will also be fortnightly clinics in at least four of the homes to monitor residents' health.

Mrs Ormerod said: "The residents, day care visitors and their relatives of the care homes can now be more assured that extra, professional help is close at hand."

Prime Minister Tony Blair's agent, John Burton, launched the scheme at Portland House Nursing Home yesterday.

He said if it was successful as he believed it would be, the scheme could be the way forward for the NHS.

He said: "The highly trained, specialist nurses will be able to offer an incredible service designed for older people. It is very exciting to have the first practice of its kind in this area, and I'm sure it will improve health care for older people and working conditions for NHS staff."

Anne Beeton, chairwoman of Durham Dales Primary Care Trust, hopes that the flexibility of the scheme, which is in line with the Government's Personal Medical Services plan, will encourage more medical staff to stay in the area.

Christina Haworth, director of nursing and patient services for the primary care trust, said the practice will be convenient for residents and is likely to cut unnecessary hospital visits, which can be traumatic.