THE first emergency care practitioners have started work for Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Serv-ice NHS Trust.

Chris Farmer and David McCaskie, based at Broms-grove Ambulance Station, and Rob Adshead, based in Malvern, are experienced paramedics who have undergone further training to enable them to treat a wider range of conditions.

Twelve paramedics and three nurses have now been trained as ECPs, with plans to introduce more in 2006.

Training has taken place at the University of Worcester. The 24-week course included 12 weeks of academic study at the university and 12 weeks of clinical placements followed by thorough assessment.

Mr Farmer said: "I am delighted to be among the first ECPs. My new skills mean I can do things that paramedics aren't trained to do. This includes some treatments we can do in patients' homes, for example simple stitches or giving certain medications to help treat some medical conditions.

"I can also refer patients to other services, rather than automatically take them to the accident and emergency department."

Trust chief executive Russell Hamilton said: "The introduction of emergency care practitioners marks another major step forward in the development of emergency care services.

"This is just the beginning of the development of service designed to increase the number of patients who can be treated in their local home or community. This will prevent the need to go to the accident and emergency department."