Nottingham GPs are being used to supplement the emergency services.

All-night surgeries are now treating some patients picked up by paramedics.

The aim is to take the strain off accident and emergency departments.

The move is partly because some people who make 999 calls do not need emergency treatment in hospital.

Casualty units are under strain

Paramedic Jean Cragg said: "There is such a lot of pressure on both the ambulance service and the hospitals.

"Many of the cases we do deal with don't really need to go to an accident and emergency department."

When an emergency call is received, paramedics now have the option of sending patients to the emergency department at Queen's Medical Centre or an all-night GP's surgery.

The surgery is told about any patients that are coming in. Alternatively a GP may be sent to their home.

Extreme pressure

The emergency medical services say new ways of working must be considered to meet the rising demand from the public .

Dr Stephen Shortt, director of the GPs' night service, said: "The Nottingham emergency medical services are suffering from extreme and sustained service pressures.

"This is impacting on clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction and the time patients wait."