HEALTH SECRETARY Alan Milburn visited Darlington yesterday to open the new offices of the town's primary care group.
The Darlington MP also launched an on-line health information library with the help of health promotion specialist Gordon Watson.
The library is a partnership project between County Durham and Darlington Specialist Health Promotion Services and Derwentside District Council's Infonet project.
The primary care group was formed in April 1999 as part of the Government's health reforms.
It brings together GPs, community nurses, social services, health promotion and local people to plan local health services according to local needs.
The occasion was also a leaving party for primary care group (PCG) chairman Dr Roger James, who steps down at the end of this month.
Dr James, who is returning to general practice, said: "We were delighted that Mr Milburn did the honours at the new offices. It also gave us the chance to talk to him about the work we have been doing, and the PCG's plans for improving health services in Darlington.
Yesterday, Mr Milburn also joined children from Heathfield Primary School for an assembly, where he talked about the benefits of computers in schools before officially opening the suite at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Fifteen new computers, costing £30,000, have been installed, thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Friends of Heathfield group
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