PARAMEDICS have been given power to confirm deaths without GPs being present.

District doctors have welcomed the news saying it is long overdue.

Wyre Forest General Practitioners Association chairman Dr Jim Goodman said ambulance crews were often held up because doctors were delayed with other work. He said: "This is a very difficult issue. GPs normally turn out because of duty to the family. However, if you imagine a busy period at the Primary Care Centre where the GP has three or four cases, he has to give priority to the ones he can help.

"This can cause delays, taking ambulance crews out of service."

He added: "Many people have had an input into this to ensure public safety."

Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Trust has implemented the Confirmation of Death policy.

Historically, paramedics have had to wait at the scene for a GP to pronounce a patient dead before they could resume other duties.

Trust director of operations Steve McGuinness said: "I think this is a positive move both for our staff, GPs, police and the coroner.

"It will benefit the service as we will save time and it will allow us to move frontline vehicles back into action much more quickly. This is a most sensitive area of operation and one which will require close monitoring.

"Should problems be identified we can act quickly to change the policy and procedure or staff training."