NURSING in the area has improved by degrees as two health care staff gain expertise.

Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) nurses Carol Lancaster and Julie Smith have both obtained BSc honours degrees in developing capable practice nursing in the home.

The district nursing sisters completed a one-year course at the University of Teesside, during which they spent two days a week working in primary care with neighbouring PCTs.

Mrs Lancaster, of Darlington, began her nursing career four years ago after working as an auxiliary, while Mrs Smith, of Reeth, in Swaledale, trained as a nurse at Darlington Memorial Hospital before going on to work as a Marie Curie nurse.

As part of her studies, Mrs Lancaster looked at spirituality: "In nursing, this impacts on health. You have to look at patients as a whole, not just medically."

Mrs Smith looked at cancer-related fatigue as part of her course work.

"It's the most commonly reported side-effect, yet its treatment is given the least attention," she said.

"It needs to be assessed and dealt with as best we can. Even acknowledging it and talking about it to patients seems to help."

Mrs Smith added: "We are helping to develop services so people can stay in their homes instead of going into hospital."