AN NHS trust with a history of long waits in casualty has announced a long-awaited expansion of medical and nursing staff.

An extra consultant, staff grade doctor and seven specialist nurses have joined staff running the University Hospital of North Durham's accident and emergency department.

Bosses at North Durham Health Care NHS Trust, who recently moved from Dryburn Hospital to the adjoining new UHND site, hope the new staff will ease problems.

The announcement follows protests from a mother who faced an 11-hour wait to get treatment for her injured one-year-old daughter.

Fiona Clark, from Consett, complained about the service she received when she took her daughter, Iona, into the £97m hospital.

Mrs Clark was worried after her daughter fell off the sofa at home and wanted her checked out in case there was anything seriously wrong.

Arriving at the hospital at 7.30pm, they had to wait until 9.15pm before her daughter was assessed by a triage nurse.

After waiting another hour for treatment she was told it could be another eight hours before staff would be free to see the girl.

Mrs Clark said she felt the service provided by the hospital's casualty department was "not acceptable".

A spokesman said it was hoped the staff would have an impact on waiting times.