Nurses in Bradford are easing the workload of doctors by being the first in the world to take on a specialist diagnostic role.

Pam Quinn and Helen Ludkin, pictured, of Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust are among eight nurses from across the country to successfully complete a course to become nurse hysteroscopists.

It means they are now qualified to diagnose menstrual problems, a role traditionally done by doctors.

Course co-ordinator Sian Jones, consultant gynaecologist at Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "This is the first time anywhere in the world that nurses have been able to do this. It really is very important and the trust is very excited about it.

"It means that people like myself can concentrate on operating."

Within the next six months it is hoped to establish an extra nurse-led hysteroscopy clinic in Bradford which will help reduce the waiting times of the 800 women in Bradford who use the service each year.

The nurses will be able to help post-menopausal women who have bleeding, women with irregular bleeding and those with heavy periods.

The course was developed by Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust, national pioneers of direct access outpatient hysteroscopy, in partnership with the University of Bradford and the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE).

The course takes 12 months to complete and comprises theory, problem-solving case studies and workshops for practical skills.

Nurse hysteroscopist Pam Quinn, said: "It has been hard work but we have advanced our practice and we are very proud to be part of something that is pioneering."

Miss Jones added: "This course builds on the innovative work that the NHS has developed in this specialist field of women's health care.

"Our direct access hysteroscopy service has already won and retained its Charter Mark award as well as a number of other honours from our peers."