Patients still waiting for Emergency Ambulances

4.13.40pm GMT Wed 29th Nov 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Jenny Randerson has urged hardworking Ambulance staff to keep up the good work, despite Ambulance figures showing waiting times are increasing.

"Despite massive uncertainty and several big changes at the top of the service staff still managed to achieve 80.5% of Emergency calls arriving within the target times between July and September this year.

"The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust is undergoing a difficult period of change and I know all the staff are working hard to raise standards.

"However, the figures show that fewer Emergency calls are arriving on time compared to earlier this year.

"I know the Trust needs time and money to be able to provide the best service for people in Wales. I hope that when the forthcoming review is published there will be a clear way forward and the money from the government to achieve these aims. Welsh patients deserve better."

Notes/Nodiadau:

Category A Emergency calls, which result in an emergency response arriving at the scene within 8/9/10 minutes have the following targets: 8 minutes - 60% of calls, 9 minutes, 70%, 10 minutes - 80%.

Between July and September this year, 54.2% arrived within eight minutes, 60.2% within nine minutes and 65.6% within ten minutes.

Between April and June this year, 57.8% arrived within eight minutes, 64% within nine minutes and 69.5% within ten minutes.

Statistics for quarter ending 30 September 2006 available here: http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/headlines/health-2006/hdw20061129/?lang=en

Statistics for quarter ending 30 June 2006 available here: http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/headlines/health-2006/hdw200609062/?lang=en

Ends/Diwedd

Contact/Cyswllt: Marie Concannon on 029 2089 8426