SWAST 'committed to improving' as new league table comes out
The SWAST was found to be the second worst on the list, just ahead of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust
A new league table's ranking University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust as one of the best-performing in England.
The health secretary's set up a grading system - which from today - will pinpoint where urgent support's needed.
South Western Ambulance Service Trust ranked poorly, as did the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust.
The SWAST was found to be the second worst on the list, just ahead of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting is introducing a new grading system he says will help end the "postcode lottery" of care for patients.
Those against the plans warn hospital performance is "not as simple as good or bad".
'We are committed to improving the care that our patients deserve'
A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are committed to improving the care that our patients deserve and rightly expect.
“Delays in our care is not something we want any of our patients to experience, and when a delay does occur, it’s taken very seriously. We are working with system partners to improve the operating environment within which we work, including reducing hospital handover delays.
“We have also increased the number of trained clinicians working within our Emergency Operations Centres (where 999 calls are received), who assess relevant calls to determine the best response. This means that in some cases, the best care for the patient may be a hear and treat response where advice and guidance, sometimes involving referral to another healthcare service is provided. This not only allows us to deliver appropriate and effective care but also helps to keep ambulances available for those in urgent need.
“We would like to thank our people and partners who continue to work hard, often in challenging circumstances, to deliver dedicated patient care.”