DOCTORS in Blackburn with Darwen have set up specialist heart clinics.

A total of 33 GP practices under Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust have started clinics to combat the high incidence of the condition in the area.

There are just three in the area which are not yet offering the service.

It is a complete turn around from when the organisation was formed in April 2001, when just two out of 36 were involved.

Each practice has drawn up a register of their patients with heart disease. And, in an unusual move, they have included patients over 75 in the scheme.

Under the scheme, which is run by the practice nurses, who have had special training for the clinics, patients on the register are recalled for follow-up appointments where blood pressure is monitored.

East Lancashire has among the highest incidence of the condition in the north west, due partly to social depravation, low income and poor diet. It is also particularly common among ethnic minorities.

Lead GP for clinical governance for the trust Tony Hirst said: "Although some patients with heart disease were already being seen in their local GP practice, this new structured service is reaching patients who were previously rarely seen by their family doctor or practice nurse.