PATIENTS' champions are to be introduced to help communicate older people's concerns about Darlington's health and social care services.

The initiative has come from a Government document which lays out a ten-year plan for improving services and the quality of life for older people.

The User Involvement Partnership and Darlington's Local Implementation Team are seeking two people to take up the roles of patients' champions.

The successful applicants will speak out about older people's concerns and help to fight age discrimination.

They will play a pivotal role, working with managers, clinicians and older people to ensure organisations are responsive to the needs of older people and that targets set out in the plan are attained.

Dr Hilton Dixon said: "These are exciting times, with lots of opportunities for collaborative working between older people and service providers.

"Patient champions have an important role and I am looking forward to working with them.

"I would urge anyone who has an interest in quality of life issues and is over fifty, living in the borough of Darlington, to get in touch and find out more."

For information and an application pack contact Louise Graham at the User Involvement Partnership, on (01325) 254662.

The closing date for applications is Monday, May 27.