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Ambulance service's final warning Ambulance service's final warning
(10 minutes later)
The Welsh Ambulance service has been given six months to turn itself around and reach performance targets.The Welsh Ambulance service has been given six months to turn itself around and reach performance targets.
It follows a review of the service for the Welsh Assembly Government which found evidence of a "bullying culture" and poor morale amongst staff.It follows a review of the service for the Welsh Assembly Government which found evidence of a "bullying culture" and poor morale amongst staff.
Health minister Edwina Hart noted overall performance improvements. Health minister Edwina Hart noted overall performance improvements but said response times were "far from acceptable" in many areas.
But she highlighted concerns over use of rapid response vehicles and where patients had been left waiting for a vehicle to transport them to hospital. The trust said more needed to be done but it was putting plans into place.
Ms Hart said while satisfied there was progress and improvements by the trust, "response times in many areas of Wales are far from acceptable." Ms Hart highlighted concerns over use of rapid response vehicles and where patients had been left waiting for a vehicle to transport them to hospital.
She said while satisfied there was progress and improvements by the trust, "response times in many areas of Wales are far from acceptable."
"I expect to see demonstrable improvement within the next six months, particularly in rural Wales, where too many people are still waiting too long for a response from the emergency ambulance service.""I expect to see demonstrable improvement within the next six months, particularly in rural Wales, where too many people are still waiting too long for a response from the emergency ambulance service."
She said she was particularly concerned about services in Powys, where performance was "unacceptable" and where there was "considerable public concern" over resources and staff vacancies.She said she was particularly concerned about services in Powys, where performance was "unacceptable" and where there was "considerable public concern" over resources and staff vacancies.
Ms Hart said she was also "extremely concerned" with the review's findings about the ambulance service's culture.Ms Hart said she was also "extremely concerned" with the review's findings about the ambulance service's culture.
"The report highlights that the number and speed of changes has had a serious adverse effect on staff morale, and that there are issues of poor people management and perceptions of a bullying culture.""The report highlights that the number and speed of changes has had a serious adverse effect on staff morale, and that there are issues of poor people management and perceptions of a bullying culture."
The ambulance trust's chief executive Alan Murray said the trust accepted despite improvements there was "much work still to be done."
Mr Murray added: "We welcome the review's reaffirmation that we are in the early stages of a long and complex modernisation programme; that, as the Auditor General put it, we need time to make a difference."
He said a "concentrated effort" was required to improve staff morale and the relationship between staff and local managers.
Ms Hart ordered the review in November 2007, which was led by Stuart Fletcher, chair of the Welsh Ambulance NHS Trust.Ms Hart ordered the review in November 2007, which was led by Stuart Fletcher, chair of the Welsh Ambulance NHS Trust.
It followed a critical report by the Wales Audit Office, which found that a lack of direction and leadership had led to poor performance.It followed a critical report by the Wales Audit Office, which found that a lack of direction and leadership had led to poor performance.
There have been problems at the trust since 2006, with senior managers admitting the service was in crisis and the assembly government ordering an inquiry.There have been problems at the trust since 2006, with senior managers admitting the service was in crisis and the assembly government ordering an inquiry.