EAST Lothian will have its first highly skilled Ambulance Paramedic Practitioners (APPs) based in the county, at the new state-of-the art Prestonpans station.

Three APPs, who are qualified to diagnose and treat many injuries and illnesses, are moving into the new station, as part of a drive to reduce the number of people who are admitted to emergency departments in hospital.

The announcement was made at the official launch of the new £730,000 ambulance station at Mid Road Industrial Estate last week.

The new station, which brings ambulances based in Musselburgh to a more central location, houses three emergency ambulances and three patient transport vehicles, and has 22 staff on site.

It is hoped the ambulance move will improve response times in the west of the county.

APPs are paramedics who have undergone additional education and training to equip them with greater patient assessment and management skills.

They are able to diagnose a wide range of conditions and are skilled to treat many minor injuries and illnesses.

They can also refer patients to hospital specialists, avoiding the need to be seen in Accident and Emergency.

Health experts believe having the specialised paramedics can reduce the number of patients inapproriately transported to hospital by as much as half.

East Lothian MSP Iain Gray said: “These specialist roles can bring significant benefits for patients, for example by treating them in their own home where a trip to the hospital is not necessary or appropriate.

“They are also an important part of the wider emergency healthcare team and I am sure that local people will benefit.

“The whole facility at Prestonpans is a major and welcome improvement in local emergency and patient transport services.” Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Scretary for Health and Wellbeing, officially opened the station last Thursday, in front of staff and guests.

Mr Neil said the role of ambulance crews had changed over the years, with training and equipment improving to put them on the frontline of the health service.

He said: “There is a traditional view of the ambulance service as being a transport service, but it is far, far superior to that.

“Our vision is that more and more people will be treated at home rather than in hospital. We reckon 20 per cent of people in hospital do not need to be there.” David Garbutt, chairman of the Scottish Ambulance Service, said the new facility would “enhance patient care” in East Lothian.

He said: “Our staff provide a vital service for this area and this is a great location for these services.”