Two nurses have pioneered a scheme which will leave doctors with more time to treat patients.

Paula Oliver and Karen Penhallow are the first nurses at Worthing Hospital and Southlands Hospital, Shoreham, to be able to prescribe medication previously only available from a doctor.

They underwent an intensive three-month course at Brighton University before being given the responsibility.

Paula, a dermatologist nurse, and Karen, a wound care nurse, see hundreds of patients each week and will no longer have to consult a doctor when prescribing many different dressings, medication and steroids.

The trust which runs the hospitals hopes the move will provide a more efficient and faster service to patients.