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Ambulance service criticised after targets missed again

Opposition parties are putting pressure on the Welsh Government over the failure of the ambulance service to reach response time targets. Ministers have demanded 'urgent improvements' from the Welsh Ambulance Service.

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  1. Lynn Courtney

Welsh Govt: 'Urgent improvements needed' in Ambulance Service

According to official figures released today, the Welsh Ambulance Service has again failed to meet its response time targets.

In May, 54.1 per cent of ambulances reached life threatening incidents in eight minutes down from 56.7 per cent in April and below the target of 65 per cent.

Ambulance response times for May are very disappointing. There is more health boards can do to help but the Welsh Ambulance Service itself needs to demonstrate urgent improvements in its performance.The key elements of the McClelland review have now been put in place. Welsh Government investment has upgraded the ambulance fleet. In this financial year, an extra £7.5m has been agreed, which will allow the recruitment of more than 100 frontline staff. It is now for the Welsh Ambulance Service to turn all this into the required standard of performance.

– Welsh Government Spokesperson

The Welsh Conservatives are blaming a lack of investment from Labour ministers and a failure to address logjams at A&E departments.

Another month and another fall in ambulance response times in the Labour run Welsh NHS. Labour Ministers have missed their ambulance response time target for critical category A life threatening calls almost every month for the past two years. An immediate medical response to a heart attack, stroke or serious accident can make the difference between life and death.

– Darren Millar AM, Shadow Health Minister

The Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Kirsty Williams is labelling the figures as a "national disgrace".

Targets aren't being met. Ambulance response times are getting worse. Year after year, month after month, this situation is getting worse but the Welsh Labour Government is still failing to do anything about it.

– Kirsty Williams AM, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats

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