DOCTORS and nurses are using drama workshops to rehearse how they handle the sensitive issue of resuscitation.

South Durham Health Care NHS Trust, which runs hospitals in Bishop Auckland and Darlington, is employing two professional actors from the Busy Ape company, in Stanley.

During a series of workshops, the actors will help medical staff to act out situations where they can practise conversations they might have with patients and their families.

Decisions on resuscitation are among the most sensitive that clinicians, patients and relatives have to make.

The process involves talking about difficult issues, including how successful resuscitation is likely to be and the expected length and quality of life.

A trust spokeswoman said: "Even experienced health care professionals can find these discussions difficult, but it is important that patients and relatives are given sufficient information to enable them to reach an informed decision on how to proceed."

The trust reviewed its resuscitation policy in line with national guidance after a report last September raised serious concerns about how the subject was handled in the NHS.

Laura Robson, the trust's director of nursing and community services, said: "By using drama we can simulate real life situations and prepare staff for discussing the difficult question of resuscitation. The subject can be very distressing for patients and their relatives, and we want to ensure that doctors and nurses are able to deal with these issues sensitively and supportively."

The workshops are being funded by County Durham and Darlington Health Authority, and run from March until August.