Southend Hospital has been awarded £190,000 Government cash to double the number of medical emergency assistants in an effort to cut pressure on junior doctors.
Southend Hospital pioneered the role of MEAs some years ago to provide emergency medical staff with highly trained support staff.
From 2004 doctors in training should work no more than 58 hours a week on average.
The hospital's clinical director of medical services Dr Tony Davison said: "We are very pleased with the success of this bid because it means we will be able to extend MEAs to work in A&E and in oncology.
"MEAs will also help on ward rounds.
"The introduction of MEAs has proved to be highly successful and has already received national recognition.
"It has also been extremely well-received by our junior medical staff."
Published Monday, January 6, 2003
Share