HEALTH managers and university academics have teamed up to create a post to improve care in east Durham.

The successful candidate will combine the roles of practising GP and academic researcher for three years. The programme is a joint venture between the University of Sunderland and Easington Primary Care Trust (PCT).

Professor Greg Rubin, head of the university's Centre for Primary and Community Care, said: "The successful candidate will have a challenging brief which could include looking at the effects of new PCT health service provision in the District of Easington, surveying the health experiences and health beliefs of patients, carers and the public, or perhaps focusing on a particular health/disease area.