SOUTH Durham communities are promised better health care from a trust being set up next year.

Public meetings are planned in Wear Valley and Teesdale, where the Dales Primary Care Group is publishing plans to become a primary care trust from April next year.

The plan would modernise health services at GPs' surgeries, clinics and health centres, giving doctors, nurses and other health professionals a bigger say in planning and spending.

Primary care group chairman Dr Stewart Findlay said: "Primary Care Trusts are designed to give frontline NHS staff greater control over how money is spent and greater freedom to redesign health services for local people."

People can comment on the plans throughout July, August and September. The first of three public meetings is at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Wednesday July 11 at 6pm.

Others are at Stanhope Town Hall on August 8, and Witham Hall, Barnard Castle, on September 27, both from 6pm to 8pm.

A consultation document and leaflet outlining the proposals is available from Andrea Jones, on (01388) 458835.