A revolutionary scheme to help cut the number of people going to hospital accident and emergency departments has been launched in Tendring.

Three emergency care practitioners started work from Clacton's minor injuries unit yesterday to provide cover 16 hours a day, seven days a week.

It is the first of its kind in Essex and the practictioners will mainly be despatched by the ambulance service to non-life threatening incidents. It will mean many patients can be treated in their homes rather than being taken to hospital emergency units.

Alan Whitehead, Essex Ambulance senior operations manager, said: "The service is desgned to improve patient choice giving them the most appropriate care for their condition and they will almost certainly be seen more quickly."

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Published Thursday, September 2, 2004

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