A NEW piece of medical equipment designed to cut the number of deaths from heart attacks has been launched in Redditch.

The move to install hi-tech computers into ambulances with a direct link to the Alexandra Hospital comes after it was revealed the town has the highest death rate from coronary heart disease in the county.

The computers will send 12 clear images of the heart to doctors at the hospital, who will then be able to decide which drugs to administer as soon as the patient arrives at hospital.

Redditch paramedic Frank Knight said: "Redditch has been chosen to pilot the scheme and it should be up and running before Christmas after all the relevant training has been given.

"It will give immediate indication of whether or not doctors can use the clot-busting drug which dissolves the blood clot which forms in the artery."

Mr Knight said the link would see patients treated faster.

He added: "Redditch has a high level of heart disease due to many factors, such as smoking and life-style, so it makes sense to pilot the scheme here."

Mr Knight said the direct link between the paramedics and the hospital could see the death rate reduced by around 25 per cent.

He added there was a possibility paramedics would be able to administer the drugs in the future.