PARAMEDICS are still not getting to thousands of patients within the target time, despite recent warnings issued by Edwina Hart, the Welsh health minister.

The latest NHS figures show that nearly one in three ambulances fails to respond within the eight-minute target.

Although there has been an increase in 999 calls over the past year, only 62% of ambulances arrived within the target time of eight minutes, confirming that the Welsh Ambulance Service has the worst life-or-death response times in the UK.

The Welsh Assembly Government has set a target of 65% of 999 calls to be answered in eight minutes.

The busy South-East Wales region of the Welsh Ambulance Trust – which includes Cardiff and the Valleys – has been highlighted as a particular problem area and the new figures show that for 999 calls in the Torfaen area just 46% received a response within eight minutes, the worst in Wales. The fastest response times were recorded in Merthyr Tydfil, with a 78% response within the target times.

Jenny Randerson, the Welsh Liberal Democrat health spokeswoman, said: "It is disappointing that the ambulance service missed the target for emergency responses. I am deeply concerned that the service fell below the target in half of all local health boards areas."

A spokesman for the Welsh Assembly Government said: "Edwina Hart has made it clear on numerous occasions that it is completely unacceptable for there to be significant variations in the performance of the ambulance service and it must improve.

"The Assembly Government has invested £22m since 2006 in new vehicles to improve response times and the quality of service patients receive. Last month the minister also asked the service to engage a logistics expert to help it review arrangements for planning and managing the deployment of vehicles."

An ambulance spokesperson said: "The trust is aware that it is required to achieve the target set by WAG and is looking at ways to improve performance in all localities of the south-east region."

Comments (4)

	1. 16-08-2008 10:36
	Failing 999 Target How do the Trust expect to maintain reaching the 999 targets set by the WAG when they've now decided not to make RRVs available during their rest breaks?    If EMS or RRVs are made not available, when something naughty happens within the 30 minute time frame, what help is there?    I don't think its appropiate to fill the gap with CFR or SJA, eh?    Every week the Trust is in the Rhondda Leader about something or other. I'm fed up of reading headlines such as 'Paramedics failing to reach calls' etc.    Its not OURfault. Registered

Medic 007

	2. 16-08-2008 11:14
	Medic 007 I agree I agree that it is not acceptable for CFR or SJA to fill gaps..    However, some may be workaholic's, but in some areas the RRV's are constantly working and not just sitting around... do they not deserve a guaranteed break or are they robots that do not rest or food and can just carry on regardless..    Quote: when something naughty happens within the 30 minute time frame, what help is there?     Surely the service should be providing enough staff then to be able to cover the 30minute break. but I guess Demand and Analysis cant see that.. Registered

ruthie

	3. 30-08-2008 22:23
	Failing 999 Target Ruthie, my point was the Trust has taken away the option for us RRV staff to remain available.    Although RRV staff can sometimes be busy, I think its fair to say we are NOT as busy as the rest of our EMS colleagues...    Therefore, most of the RRV staff I know prefer to remain available (by choice) through their rest break.    I have not suggested staff are robots or anything else - of course every member of staff are entitled to an undisturbed rest break, its the law, its the option of being made avail to respond to life threatening calls has been withdrawn.    But to what consequence? Registered

Medic 007

	4. 31-08-2008 08:13
	Failing 999 Target Medic007 I apologise, i read the thread too fast and misunderstood, that will teach me... sorry!! Registered

ruthie

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