SOUTH Durham Health Care NHS Trust has been awarded a Charter Mark award for its breast care service.

The service, at Darlington Memorial and Bishop Auckland General hospitals, provides a rapid access one-stop clinic for people with suspected breast cancer.

Patients can be seen within two weeks after being referred by their doctor, and they then undergo the necessary tests before being diagnosed.

Trust chief executive John Saxby said: "This is a wonderful achievement for the breast care team.

"They are dedicated to providing a first-class service to their patients, and this award is proof they are getting it right."

The breast care service is the second trust facility to be awarded a Charter Mark following the maternity service which won the award in January.