The region's ambulance service has begun a new automated messaging system in Norfolk to enable other emergency services to get to call-outs more quickly.

The new system from the East of England Ambulance Service automatically notifies Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service about traffic incidents where their support may be needed.

The project is being trialled in Norfolk, but could be rolled out to the rest of the region if successful.

An automated SMS message is sent to fire control giving details of the incident when a call comes in, rather than ambulance call handlers having to contact another 999 service.

Ambulance trust manager Nicholas Jones said: 'Since we started the trial in July, we have seen an increase in the amount of incidents that the fire and rescue service attend where patients need to be extricated from vehicles.'

'This enables ambulance crews to concentrate on caring for patients at the scene. This system is currently on trial in Norfolk, but if successful we will be looking at extending it to other kinds of calls and to rolling it out across our region.'

Paul Seaman, group manager and project lead for the fire service added: 'Fire appliances in Norfolk carry personnel that are trained in dealing with trauma and carry equipment to assist them in dealing with these incidents. The earlier we can provide assistance at the roadside the better the chances are of improving patient outcome.'