FUNDING for a senior medic on Colchester’s SOS bus over the next year will cost £46,000.


Cash for the 14-hour-a-week job, to give medical care to the town’s weekend revellers, has come from the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).


The money will pay the salary of the doctor or senior medical practitioner, as well as their medical supplies and equipment.


The medic will have to work two seven-hour shifts from 9pm on Friday and Saturday nights.


Their role will see them qualified to stitch and glue wounds if required, reducing the need for A&E admissions and ambulances.


The medic will also have the qualifications to admit patients straight to the Emergency Assessment Unit at Colchester General Hospital.


Dr Shane Gordon, Clinical Chief Officer at the CCG, said: “I am pleased we can make this investment with good evidence of when and where the need is, not only to save money for the NHS, but above all to help these mainly young people when they get into problems.


“However, the real answer is for everyone who goes out to enjoy the excellent entertainment in Colchester of an evening to drink responsibly, stay with your friends and not get into difficulties.”


The bus, run by the Open Road charity, costs £80,00 a year to run.


Contributions come from Colchester Community Safety Partnership, Essex Police and Essex County Council.