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Welsh Ambulance boss says 999 targets need rethink | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The head of the Welsh ambulance service says target times for getting to the most serious incidents need rethinking. | |
It comes as the latest response time figures show a slight improvement over the last month - which had been the worst on record. | |
There is an eight minute window for responding to Category A life-threatening calls - in January crews hit the target 48.5% of the time. | |
The Welsh government target is 65%. | |
Outcomes 'more important' | |
But speaking to BBC Wales on Wednesday, the chief executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service said the whole issue of targets needs rethinking. | |
"Most of the calls we take, most of the work we do, eight minutes does not make a difference," insisted Tracy Myhill. | |
"I want to look at clinical outcomes. I want to look at what happens when we see those patients and when we get them to treatment. | |
"That is much more important to the patients and to us than a time target that doesn't always matter actually in terms of the outcome to patients." | |
January's most urgent response times were up six percentage points, from just 42.6%. | |
There has been a reduction in the number of the most urgent calls over the month after the ambulance service had blamed a jump for December's performance. | There has been a reduction in the number of the most urgent calls over the month after the ambulance service had blamed a jump for December's performance. |
But the latest figures, although an improvement, are still way below what is expected. | But the latest figures, although an improvement, are still way below what is expected. |
That 65% target has only been met once in Wales in two and a half years. | That 65% target has only been met once in Wales in two and a half years. |
The Welsh government spokesperson said performance was not where the public, health boards, the ambulance service or ministers wanted it to be and improvement was a priority. | The Welsh government spokesperson said performance was not where the public, health boards, the ambulance service or ministers wanted it to be and improvement was a priority. |
"These figures should be seen in the context of the significant pressure NHS Wales was under in January," added the spokesperson. | "These figures should be seen in the context of the significant pressure NHS Wales was under in January," added the spokesperson. |
Response times breakdown | Response times breakdown |
ARE EIGHT MINUTE TARGETS THE BEST MEASURE? | ARE EIGHT MINUTE TARGETS THE BEST MEASURE? |
Analysis by Owain Clarke, BBC Wales health correspondent | Analysis by Owain Clarke, BBC Wales health correspondent |
A series of measures to "transform" the Welsh Ambulance Service are under way with the Welsh government. | A series of measures to "transform" the Welsh Ambulance Service are under way with the Welsh government. |
But there is also a debate about whether or not the current eight minute ambulance response time target is the best way of measuring performance. | But there is also a debate about whether or not the current eight minute ambulance response time target is the best way of measuring performance. |
There are concerns that while it indicates speed it does not adequately reflect the quality of medical care. | There are concerns that while it indicates speed it does not adequately reflect the quality of medical care. |
In England, two ambulance services are to pilot new emergency response times which distinguish between the most serious cases - those which are immediately life-threatening (Red 1) and less urgent ones (Red 2). | In England, two ambulance services are to pilot new emergency response times which distinguish between the most serious cases - those which are immediately life-threatening (Red 1) and less urgent ones (Red 2). |
Under the plan, being trialled in London and the south-west. call handlers will get slightly longer to determine the best course of action for Red 2 calls. | Under the plan, being trialled in London and the south-west. call handlers will get slightly longer to determine the best course of action for Red 2 calls. |
From next month separate figures specifically for Red 1 calls will be published in Wales. | From next month separate figures specifically for Red 1 calls will be published in Wales. |
The Welsh Ambulance Service decided to give its own breakdown for the last month with 62.8% of Red 1 calls being answered within eight minutes and 46.7% for Red 2 calls. | The Welsh Ambulance Service decided to give its own breakdown for the last month with 62.8% of Red 1 calls being answered within eight minutes and 46.7% for Red 2 calls. |
The Welsh government is also looking at new ambulance response measures. These would focus on three key treatment areas - care for people who have had heart attacks, strokes or fractured hips. | The Welsh government is also looking at new ambulance response measures. These would focus on three key treatment areas - care for people who have had heart attacks, strokes or fractured hips. |
The new measures will be recorded alongside the eight minute target "for the time being" and ministers are to consider any further overhaul "in the coming weeks". | The new measures will be recorded alongside the eight minute target "for the time being" and ministers are to consider any further overhaul "in the coming weeks". |
But any attempt to move away from that measure is likely to politically controversial. | But any attempt to move away from that measure is likely to politically controversial. |