A SCHEME which helps elderly patients to stay in their own homes for as long as possible by making use of community care has won an award for Ripon's Council for Voluntary Service (CVS).

Set up nine years ago, the service focuses on rural areas in the parishes of Kirkby Malzeard and Masham, within a practice of three doctors.

The scheme has two part-time workers - volunteer coordinator Rosemary Newton and liaison and information officer Susan Theakston - and provides easy access to information.

Volunteers provide patients and their carers with transport to hospital appointments, to the doctor's or dentist's, as well as to day care centres.

There is also a befriending and sitting service, and help with tasks that may cause problems.

The prize of £5,000, which will be presented shortly, has been awarded by North Yorkshire Local Modernisation 2001 and will also secure a commendation of good practice for the Ripon group.

The award scheme recognises excellence in health and social care across an area served by North Yorkshire Health Authority.

Applications were invited from those working in health or social care at the leading edge of service modernisation across the county.

Award criteria included tackling and reducing health inequalities, improving access and quality of service, working together and putting the patient at the centre of its scheme.

Ripon CVS covers an area that extends to Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham