PARAMEDICS in Wiltshire are to carry clotbusting pills in response to bulging waistlines.

Wiltshire Ambulance Trust bosses alarmed at soaring heart disease figures have trained 12 paramedics to administer the lifesaving pill.

By the end of this month that figure is expected to rise to 20.

The clotbusting thrombolyic pill works by thinning the blood, preventing a potentially deadly clot forming.

Paul Gates, operations manager for Wiltshire Ambulance Trust, believes it is a reflection of the times.

"Sadly, heart disease is a massive problem in the Western world," he said.

"And there is a direct relation between that and our diet."

Before administering the pill ambulance crews must complete a tick-box checklist.

Data from an onboard electrocardiograph machine will also be sent to hospitals.

Mr Gates said this would scrap the need for briefing time when patients arrive at casualty.

"A lot of patients die from heart attacks because these clotbusters are not delivered quickly enough.

"The tick boxes will ascertain information like the patient's age, blood group and important medical history."

Alongside this training, crews are being taught to use 12-point ECG leads.

"Most crews were trained to use one-point leads," he said.

"The newer versions will give a full diagnostic picture, allowing crews to monitor patients much more effectively."

ACTION will be taken next week to raise cleaning standards onboard Wiltshire ambulances.

As a result of our expos in February, bosses promised a full review of procedures.

Senior management will meet with a firm which are already responsible for cleaning London ambulances.

Obesity facts

There are around 270,000 heart attacks in the UK each year.

More than 30,000 deaths a year caused by obesity in England alone.

Adult obesity rates have almost quadrupled in the last 25 years. Currently, 22 per cent of Britons are obese and three-quarters are overweight.

People are clinically obese if they have a body mass index over 30. They are overweight if its between 25 and 30.

The number of obese children has tripled in 20 years. Ten per cent of six-year-olds are obese, increasing to 17 per cent of 15-year-olds.