Ambulance Response Times Across North Wales Remain Above Target

Ambulance response times across north Wales remained above average last month – despite a slight dip in the all Wales average.

Monthly statistics released by the Welsh Government show that over 75% of emergency responses to red calls / the most life-threatening emergencies in North Wales, during December 2016 were attended within eight minutes.

The figures were above the 65% target for health boards, but were also down slightly on the 78.9% average achieved in November 2016.

In North Wales a total of 10,279 calls were made during December 2016, with 450 of those categorised as ‘red’.

6,441 was classed as amber calls, meaning patients with conditions which may need treatment and care at the scene and fast transport to a healthcare facility of needed.

The remaining 3,388 fell into the green category, which are classed as ‘less urgent’ – meaning treatment can often be managed by other health services, such as GPs or through self-care.

As with previous months response times in North Wales exceeded the 65% target, by attending 77.2% of immediately life-threatening calls within eight minutes.

This was higher than the all Wales average of 75.8%.