FAMILY doctors in the Sedgefield borough are to close their practices for a half-day today for training.
Colleagues from the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust (PCT) area will be helping out by providing full medical cover for emergencies and urgent cases.
Sedgefield GPs will return the favour by providing cover when the Durham Dales surgeries close for training on the afternoon of September 25. The Time Out scheme was developed by the Sedgefield and Dales Primary Care Groups, which became PCTs in April this year, and held a successful first event in February.
Dr Dinah Roy, chairwoman of the Sedgefield 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 doesn't allow enough time for this important work to be squeezed in. This is why we created the time out scheme."
Participating practices will be closed between noon and 7pm. Emergency cover will be available on the surgery number and will be the same as out-of-hours arrangements.
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