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Welsh Ambulance Service response times improve after low Welsh Ambulance boss says 999 targets need rethink
(about 4 hours later)
Ambulance response times for the most urgent calls in Wales have improved slightly over the last month, latest figures show. The head of the Welsh ambulance service says target times for getting to the most serious incidents need rethinking.
It follows December's figures which were the worst on record for ambulances responding within eight minutes for life-threatening calls. It comes as the latest response time figures show a slight improvement over the last month - which had been the worst on record.
The target for responding to Category A calls is 65% - but in January it was 48.5% 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.
In the previous month it was just 42.6%. 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.
Tracy Myhill, interim chief executive at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said January was a "very challenging month" and the service had taken 2,160 more calls than the same period in 2014.
"We'd like to reassure the public that we're not a million miles away from our target and that most patients aren't being forced to wait hours for help in a serious or life threatening emergency," she said.
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 breakdownResponse times breakdown
ARE EIGHT MINUTE TARGETS THE BEST MEASURE?ARE EIGHT MINUTE TARGETS THE BEST MEASURE?
Analysis by Owain Clarke, BBC Wales health correspondentAnalysis 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.