A new ambulance initiative under way in Telford is helping people to be treated at home, rather than go into hospital, after they dial 999 for help.
Besides benefiting patients, the scheme is helping take some of the pressures off the Princess Royal Hospital’s accident and emergency department and free up beds for more critically ill casualties.
The system is based around a new level of training for paramedics, who are now qualified as Emergency Care Practitioners.
As a result of their expertise, people who are forced to dial 999 could avoid being taken to hospital by being treated by the new team, who are based at Donnington Ambulance Station.
They are now called out by front line paramedics after the ambulance crews have assessed a 999 patient and find they could be treated within their own home - avoiding a trip to hospital.
The scheme, funded by Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trust, has seen West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedics, Jamie Roberts, Julian Porter, Jennie Sears-Brown and Carl Pockett undergo six months university training at Worcester.
The team then spent a further 12 weeks in clinical placements including A&E departments and doctor’s surgeries.
Since the scheme was launched, the team have been called out to 78 patients, which has seen just 12 who have needed to be admitted to hospital.
Mr Pockett, who has been with the ambulance service for 15 years said: “The paramedics are still the first on the scene after a 999 call but then we are the first port of call for them to see if we can find alternative care options for them.
“It is especially useful when dealing with falls as we can be the eyes and ears for other agency partners and put in falls prevention measures.
“Very often they do not need to be taken to hospital as they are not injured but benefit from being treated in their own home.”
Mr Pockett said the new system was already relieving the A&E department and its staff.
“Obviously this is going to impact on A&E and the pressures the staff face there.
“Already we have prevented 66 people being taken into A&E who would have previously had to be taken in.
“People who have been treated by us so far have been very supportive of it and often relieved that they have been able to be assessed in their own home.
“Very often people feel like they are imposing on A&E staff with minor injuries.”
Mr Pockett said they were now able to close up minor wounds which would also help waiting times at A&E.
The ambulance service is stressing that there is no separate number for the Emergency Care Practioner team. Anyone needing medical help in an emergency should still dial 999 for an ambulance.