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Ambulance service miss emergency response times Ambulance service miss emergency response times
(35 minutes later)
The Welsh Ambulance Service failed to meet its response time target for the most urgent cases for the seventh consecutive month.The Welsh Ambulance Service failed to meet its response time target for the most urgent cases for the seventh consecutive month.
Latest figures show in December they succeeded in responding to only 56.1% of the most urgent (Category A) calls within eight minutes compared to a target of 65%.Latest figures show in December they succeeded in responding to only 56.1% of the most urgent (Category A) calls within eight minutes compared to a target of 65%.
The figures show a 2.3% drop in performance compared to November.The figures show a 2.3% drop in performance compared to November.
The Welsh Ambulance Service has been asked to comment The Welsh Ambulance Service has been asked to comment.
Welsh government health minister Lesley Griffiths announced a review into the service last November.Welsh government health minister Lesley Griffiths announced a review into the service last November.
There were more than 38,100 emergency calls in December, and of these almost 15,600 were Category A calls.There were more than 38,100 emergency calls in December, and of these almost 15,600 were Category A calls.
December's figures show the ambulance service responded to 12% more emergency calls than the previous month.December's figures show the ambulance service responded to 12% more emergency calls than the previous month.
Before the latest figures were announced, Roy Norris, former chair of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, said people would be wrong to think that the simple answer was to have more ambulances.Before the latest figures were announced, Roy Norris, former chair of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, said people would be wrong to think that the simple answer was to have more ambulances.
He said the Welsh government review of the service would probably look at why ambulances are sometimes forced to wait long periods outside busy hospitals with patients waiting to be admitted.He said the Welsh government review of the service would probably look at why ambulances are sometimes forced to wait long periods outside busy hospitals with patients waiting to be admitted.
"There has got to be an entire system review of why it is ambulances are held, why hospitals can't clear people through the emergency department and it will probably be looking at why people can't be discharged from hospital when they are ready to be discharged," he told BBC Radio Wales."There has got to be an entire system review of why it is ambulances are held, why hospitals can't clear people through the emergency department and it will probably be looking at why people can't be discharged from hospital when they are ready to be discharged," he told BBC Radio Wales.
'Immense pressure''Immense pressure'
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said: "The figures released today have shown that ambulance response rates in December were the lowest of any month in 2012.Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said: "The figures released today have shown that ambulance response rates in December were the lowest of any month in 2012.
"While paramedics and technical staff are striving for excellence, they are facing immense pressure and having to work with increasingly stretched resources.""While paramedics and technical staff are striving for excellence, they are facing immense pressure and having to work with increasingly stretched resources."
In December, the ambulance service performed worst in Rhondda Cynon Taf responding to just 43.5% of the most urgent calls within eight minutes. It performed best in the Wrexham with a 72.0% response rate. The ambulance service performed worst in Rhondda Cynon Taf responding to just 43.5% of the most urgent calls within eight minutes, figures reveal. It performed best in the Wrexham with a 72.0% response rate.
The all Wales target of responding to the most urgent calls is 65% but the target set is lower (60%) for response times in each unitary authority area.The all Wales target of responding to the most urgent calls is 65% but the target set is lower (60%) for response times in each unitary authority area.
The figures show the ambulance service only hit its 60% local performance target in six of the 22 unitary authority areas at Cardiff, Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Denbighshire, Conwy and Wrexham.The figures show the ambulance service only hit its 60% local performance target in six of the 22 unitary authority areas at Cardiff, Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Denbighshire, Conwy and Wrexham.
In six unitary authority areas the ambulance service responded to less than half of the most urgent calls within eight minutes at Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Neath Port Talbot, Torfaen and Bridgend.In six unitary authority areas the ambulance service responded to less than half of the most urgent calls within eight minutes at Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Neath Port Talbot, Torfaen and Bridgend.
The Welsh Conservatives say the results of another dip in response times comes as it has obtained figures that shows a reduction in the number of ambulances in Wales has dropped from 256 to 244, along with the closure of several stations.
"It is extremely worrying that performance has dipped considerably at a time when ambulance stations and vehicles have been reduced," said Conservative health spokesman Darren Millar, AM for Clwyd West.
The Conservatives say the figures have been revealed in a written response to questions put to health minister Lesley Griffiths.
The Welsh government has been asked to comment.