A METHOD of treatment for patients with chest pain in the North-East is to be hailed as an example of good practice at a national NHS conference.

The "care pathway" developed by nurses in the coronary care units at Darlington Memorial and Bishop Auckland General Hospital sets out standard guidelines for treatment, which hospital staff can follow.

It aims to make sure that patients admitted with chest pain receive high quality treatment that is consistent and based on the latest evidence.

The care pathway will feature in an annual conference being held by the NHS's information service, in Bristol next month.

The conference helps those working in the NHS to share ideas and methods of care, to give a greater quality of service.

Sister Jeanette Wilkinson, of the coronary care unit at Darlington Memorial Hospital, said the pathway had been in use for 18 months.

She said: "It has been particularly helpful in highlighting risk factors and recognising patients with heart disease at an early stage.

"This means we are able to treat them sooner as well as providing them with support and advice on lifestyle changes such as diet and smoking."

A total of 65 care pathways have been developed by the South Durham Healthcare NHS Trust and are used by every hospital department.

Stuart Lonie, care pathways facilitator at the trust, said: "They are definitely the way forward and by sharing good practice we can ensure that the plans are based on the best clinical evidence."