DOCTORS are set to take to the skies over Kent as part of a new project being launched by the county's air ambulance.

Three doctors will be recruited to the Marden-based Kent Air Ambulance Trust from September as part of a six-month clinical trial which, organisers hope, will lead to a permanent arrangement.

Two doctors have already signed up for the project, which is one of the first in the country. Warwickshire and Northamptonshire air ambulance and the London air ambulance are the only other services which have flying doctors.

A doctor on board means they will be able to arrange to transfer patients needing specialist treatment directly to hospitals such as Stoke Mandeville. Currently, the two paramedics do not have the authority to transfer patients.

The move, which will cost about £250,000 a year, was made following a year's consultation.

Chief executive David Philpott said: "What we have realised is that, whether we like it or not, the shape of the NHS as we have traditionally known it with many A & E departments will eventually be a thing of the past.

"If it is going to be increasingly difficult to get patients to the A & E as quickly as we could in the past, we need to take A & E to the patient."

He added: "We are fairly confident that we will be able to demonstrate very clear evidence that we are saving lives doing it."

Doctors taking part, who must be put forward by their hospital management, will spend September training before beginning duty.

The trust will carry out detailed clinical research to support the trial.