PART of County Durham has been chosen to take part in the first wave of a national pilot programme to improve health services.

Durham Dales pharmacists and Durham Dales Primary Care Trust have been selected for a repeat dispensing programme, which aims to give patients quicker and more convenient access to medicines.

The trust is one of 30 sites in the country, from 120 applicants, to be selected for the scheme, which will involve six GP practices and 14 community pharmacies.

Repeat dispensing allows patients to obtain a prescription from their doctor which they can collect in instalments, rather than returning to the surgery for repeat prescriptions.

Pharmacists will check that the medication still meets the needs of the patient and answer any questions.

It is hoped the system will reduce GP workloads, be convenient for patients, reduce drug wastage and give patients more time to talk about medication with pharmacists.

Andrew Kenworthy, chief executive of Durham Dales PCT, said: "The repeat dispensing scheme will make a real difference for our patients."

The project will start early next year, in the first few months involving about 30 patients in each GP practice before it is extended in the area.