All areas of Wales meet ambulance target for second month in row

All local health boards (LHBs) in Wales have surpassed the national ambulance response times target for the second month in a row.

Latest statistics from July 2016 show 75.3% of emergency responses to an immediately life-threatening illness or injury, known as red calls, arrived within eight minutes – exceeding the target of 65%.

The median response time to red calls across Wales was 5 minutes and 5 seconds. The service handled 1,277 calls per day on average, up 3.4% on the daily average in June 2016.

July was the second successive month that all LHBs met the national target since the introduction of a new clinical response model pilot last October, which prioritises the most critically-ill patients.

Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething said:

“It is very encouraging to see that all LHBs in Wales have surpassed the national target for red calls for the second consecutive month, despite steadily rising demand.  In July there were over 39,500 emergency calls made to the Welsh Ambulance Service – an average of 1,277 calls per day.

“I want to thank Welsh Ambulance Service staff for their dedication to providing the help people need quickly, in spite of these pressures.

“Today’s statistics show that the new model we introduced last October is contributing to a rapid emergency response service for patients who really need it. People should feel confident the new system is putting a greater focus on the quality of care people receive and their outcomes.

“We have much to be proud of here in Wales, however we will not be resting on our laurels. The Welsh Ambulance Service – and the wider health and social care system – is already planning for the coming months and the difficult winter period.