THE first health workers whose efforts will be taking the pressure off GPs at weekends and evenings, have completed their training.

Health bosses believe that the first batch of 14 emergency care practitioners (ECPs) to graduate from Teesside University are the first in the UK trained to work in a primary care setting.

While ECPs elsewhere will work in hospitals, the 14 new practitioners will work in primary care in County Durham, Darlington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.

They come from a variety of NHS backgrounds. Some are former nurses while others have worked as paramedics.

Primary care trusts in Darlington, Derwentside, Durham and Chester-le-Street, Easington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough have joined forces to develop the project, the first of its kind in the country.

After completing their 15-week training course, the ECPs will undergo eight weeks of on-the-job training at GP surgeries across County Durham and Darlington.

Ann Donnan, planning lead for the care trusts involved, said the ECPs would support the out-of-hours cover traditionally provided by GPs, which is being phased out after April 1. They will also help GPs during normal working hours by making home visits and carrying out assessments.

ECPs will also work with ambulance trusts to relieve pressure on accident and emergency services.

Deborah McElrue, a former sister at the University Hospital of North Durham, who has retrained as an ECP, said: "This was an opportunity which doesn't come along very often. There is a lot of autonomy and we will be allowed to prescribe medication."