Specialist paramedics trained up

Six ambulance paramedics are getting advanced training to provide better treatment for seriously ill patients.

The critical care paramedics (CCPs) will specialise in the newest resuscitation skills and drug therapy.

They will be sent by ambulance, response car or air ambulance to the most serious 999 emergencies in Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

The team of CCPs will receive training at university and from critical care specialists in Medway.

'Life-threatening injuries'

South East Coast Ambulance Service said their role would be to "provide advanced care and treatments previously unavailable in conventional paramedic training".

Clinical director Andy Newton said: "The trust recognises that more can and should be done to support the small number of patients suffering life-threatening injuries."

The CCPs' training work is being undertaken alongside Kent Air Ambulance, the Kent and Medway Critical Care Network and the University of Hertfordshire.

It is hoped that specialist and rapid treatment at the scene of emergencies can reduce the number of critically ill patients who die after being transferred to hospital.