TWO MPs have hit out at plans to create a countywide primary care trust to run health services such as GP surgeries and clinics.

North Durham's Kevan Jones and Easington's John Cummings, both Labour, say they do not believe the proposed organisation would serve their constituents better than the existing local primary care trusts (PCTs).

Mr Jones said: "It is only a few years since the trusts were set up and, in my opinion, they have worked well."

Mr Cummings said he feared the bigger trust would lose local accountability and that a merger of the Easington, Derwentside and Chester-le-Street trusts was a preferable alternative. The Department of Health says bigger trusts would be stronger and better at serving patients