FAMILY doctors in the Durham Dales are planning to close their practices on Wednesday so they and surgery staff can brush up on their skills.

Colleagues from the Sedgefield Primary Care Trust (PCT) area will be helping out by providing full medical cover for emergencies and urgent cases on that day.

Earlier in the month, GPs from the Durham Dales provided cover for their Sedgefield counterparts when they closed for training.

The Time Out scheme was developed by the Sedgefield and Dales Primary Care Groups, which became Primary Care Trusts in April, to provide training and development to staff.

Dr Stewart Findlay, chairman of the Durham Dales PCT executive committee, said: "Doctors, nurses, therapists, managers and receptionists can only deliver high quality care if we devote regular time to maintaining and enhancing their skills and knowledge.

"Unfortunately, the daily life of a busy practice does not allow enough time for this important work to be squeezed in. This is why we created the time out scheme."

Participating practices in the Durham Dales will be closed between noon and 7pm.

Emergency cover will be available by ringing the usual surgery number.