HOSPITALS and surgeries throughout the region have been allocated more than £5m after successfully bidding for more funds.

The investment in improved services for orthopaedic, dermatology and ear, nose and throat (ENT) patients is part of a national drive to improve services for patients.

One of the most unusual projects is a £1m scheme to provide hospital-quality dermatology services in GP surgeries on Wearside.

A successful pilot scheme in Sunderland has allowed patients with skin problems, such as warts and moles, to be treated at their local GP surgery.

The other main beneficiaries are hospitals in Darlington, Stockton, Hartlepool, Durham and Newcastle.

Smaller amounts have been allocated from South Tees down to Harrogate.

The largest sum goes to North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust, where the £1m will be used to build a one-stop diagnostic centre for orthopaedic patients at Stockton and improve and extend facilities at Hartlepool.

Just under £1m is to be invested on Tyneside to expand and improve ENT and audiology facilities at the Freeman Hospital to reduce waiting times for patients.

A total of £994,000 is being invested at Bishop Auckland General Hospital to provide a fourth orthopaedic operating theatre and complete the hospital's advanced digital imaging system.

Another £992,000 is to go on a new self-contained dermatology unit at the University Hospital of North Durham, enabling the unit to move out of outdated accommodation and into the new site.

Further allocations have been made to Scarborough and North-East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust (£489,000), York Health Services NHS Trust (£430,000) and Harrogate NHS Trust (£79,000)