PARAMEDICS are now working with GPs to carry out home visits in the community.

The move, part of a new approach by the NHS to relieve some of the work-load of under-pressure GPs, is saving Gloucestershire GPs around 120 visits a month.

Clinical pharmacists, mental health workers and physiotherapists will also be working in surgeries, offering a greater range of skills and services and freeing up GP time.

The extra staff are being funded through a new five-year contract for general practice across England.

In addition to this, GP practices across the county are working together to provide 100,000 more appointments for patients.

The extra appointments, across Gloucestershire’s 75 practices, will be mainly provided by GPs and nurses over the next year.

Dr Nikki Kanani, a GP and NHS England’s acting medical director for primary care, said: “Patients want to get an appointment as quickly as possible when they contact their GP surgery and it’s great news that in Gloucestershire there are now many more appointments available.

“Also a mixed team of health professionals, including nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists or paramedics means patients can be seen quicker by the right health professionals for their needs, freeing up time for GPs to see the most complex patients.”

GP leaders have praised the move but have also warned that extra doctors are needed.