A SCHEME to employ mercy men on hospital wards is set to be expanded by health bosses.

Paramedics have been doing "overtime" by patrolling wards at Blackburn Royal Infirmary along with doctors and nurses since June.

The 12-month pilot scheme was introduced to try and reduce the heavy workload of hard-pressed junior doctors.

But hospital chiefs said the plan had been so successful that it will be expanded to Queen's Park Hospital.

The Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust became one of the first in the country to employ ambulance workers on wards.

Six paramedics have stepped in to fulfil many routine tasks normally done by junior doctors, including taking blood and ECG recordings. Another four are on a waiting list to start work on the wards. Initially the scheme was limited to the medical assessment unit at the infirmary, but soon expanded to other wards during the busiest times.

Nurse manager Anne Asher said: "The paramedics have certainly enhanced their skills by practice and the scheme has also helped to improve the nurses' skills.

"We are looking at expanding the service to Queen's Park and at the moment it is under evaluation. We are thinking of operating a bleep service at Queen's Park where, if the nursing and medical staff need assistance, they can bleep the paramedics.

"They tend to work during the busy times which usually includes Mondays and Fridays."

Trust chief executive John Thomas said: "The pilot scheme is working well and the nursing staff are also being encouraged to take on extra duties to improve their skills."

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