DEVIZES MP Claire Perry MP met staff and patients of a pilot scheme to discuss how the service is supporting patients who need urgent care while also easing the pressure on GPs.

The scheme involves an Emergency Care Practitioner, who is a trained paramedic, going out to see patients instead of a GP when a visit is requested.

The specially trained ECP liaises with the Gs to assess and treat medical conditions along with arranging transport to hospital if needed.

As a result patients are seen and treated earlier in the day which can reduce the need for overnight hospital stays.

Mrs Perry said: “We are seeing some really significant improvements in local health services in Devizes as a result of the Clinical Commissioning Group and local GPs working together.

“It was lovely to meet 91-year-old James Heaven who was treated by the ECP team and was extremely happy with the service.

“The next step is to deliver a new Primary Care Centre in Devizes and the joined-up working that is now happening across GP teams and the CCG will help make this a reality.”

The innovative service, led by Market Lavington doctor Richard Sandford-Hill and practice manager Helen Scott, sees the ECP working closely with the five GP surgeries in the Devizes area.

Dr Sandford Hill said: “Visits are assessed on a case by case basis, to see what is best for that particular patient.

“The service has definitely lowered the pressure on GPs with the ambulance service also positive about the benefits of the scheme.”

Devizes is not the first to have an ECP and there are various different schemes running across the country, with funding coming from that area’s Clinical Commissioning Group.

The year long pilot scheme in Devizes has been running since November with the ECP seconded from South Western Ambulance for two months at a time.

Mrs Scott said: “As a new model of care, the pilot scheme has gone well so far.

“The main thing is that people are being seen a lot earlier in the day which means that GPs can ensure that patients are treated sooner; either in their own home, or in hospital.”

After the end of the pilot scheme in November Mrs Scott has said the Devizes surgeries are hoping to get continued funding for the service along with additional ECPs.