WHAT is believed to be the first doctor's surgery in the North-East dedicated to helping asylum seekers opens this month.

The Haven Medical Practice has been set up in an effort to relieve pressure on other family doctors in Middlesbrough - an area which has a severe shortage of GPs.

A spokesman for Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust, which set up the centre, said the practice will concentrate on meeting the initial needs of newly arrived asylum seekers, rather than those already registered with local practices.

Once they have settled in and their immediate health needs have been met, asylum seekers will be expected to register with local doctors' practices.

Staff have already been appointed to the Haven centre, including full-time GP Dr Helen Sykes, a specialist nurse, reception staff and a practice manager.

Dr Sykes said: "It must be very hard for asylum-seekers first coming into this country, often not understanding our language, culture, customs and health system and having real health needs.

"We want to address these quickly and help them integrate into the local community as effectively as possible."

Colin McLeod, chief executive of Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust, said it was important that everyone had "equal access" to high quality primary care services.

The Haven Medical Practice has been largely funded by the Department of Health, he added.