NEW high-tech ambulances could be equipped to save thousands of heart attack victims across the county within the next 18 months.

Hereford & Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust could be given permission to install revolutionary new equipment which would allow hospital doctors to communicate with paramedics and tell them to give revolutionary "clot-busting" drugs.

In the future, the system could be extended to other treatments, saving thousands of lives.

"The drug dissolves the clot, and the sooner it's given the better for the patient," said Brian Chambers, director of clinical governance.

"It saves lives and can also improve the patients long-term prospects.

"In time, we'll use this system for every patient with whom a paramedic may find they need help, even if they are 30 miles away."

The system will initially be implemented to deal with thrombylisis, a treatment currently only allowed to be given by doctors which breaks up blood clots which cause heart attacks.

Through the new Mobimed system, doctors will be digitally sent ECGs, blood pressure readings, pulse and heart rate indicators from ambulances, which will help them make a diagnosis.

They can then instruct trained paramedics to administer the drugs.

Patients who are thrombylised quickly are known to have better survival rates, and their long-term future is better.

If the move is agreed, equipment worth £380,000 could be supplied by the West Midlands Region, and the Trust board is also considering applying for Lottery funding from the New Opportunities Fund.

The equipment was developed in Sweden with the help of paramedics, and is EU approved.