Ambulance service in Gloucester "at breaking point"
The regional response times are well above the national target for the most serious calls
Last updated 9th Feb 2022
The Liberal Democrats in gloucester say the county's ambulance service is "at breaking point".
New data from NHS England reveals the average response time for ambulances in England in December 2021 was the second longest ever recorded - after october 2021.
In the South West Ambulance Trust area response times for ‘Category 1’ calls – which involve heart attacks and life threatening issues – in December reached an average of 11 mins and 38 secs.
The national target is no more than seven minutes.
The average response times for for ‘Category 2’ calls – which include chest pains and strokes – were over one hour and well beyond the national target of 18 minutes.
Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester Liberal Democrats, said: “Ambulance services are at breaking point.
“The Conservatives have run ambulance services into the ground with every single target being missed for the most severe cases.”
"Behind every single one of these statistics is a tragic personal story."
The former Gloucestershire Ambulance Service merged with the regional South West Ambulance Service in 2013.
The Lib Dems claim this has not improved response times.
Councillor Hilton added: “It seems the merging of the former Gloucestershire Ambulance Service into the regional South West Ambulance Service has failed to deliver on its promise.
“The situation would be even worse in the county if we’re not for the 11 GFRS fire stations that turn out as co-responders for medical emergencies in support of the hard pressed ambulance service. "
A spokesperson for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said:
“We’re sorry that some patients are having to wait longer for an ambulance as a result of health and social care being under severe pressure.
“The most significant impact is the length of time it’s taking us to hand over patients into busy hospitals. It’s an absolute priority for us and for our NHS partners to reduce these delays, so crews can get back out on the road for other patients.
“Our people are working incredibly hard day and night to enable us to be there for our patients, while prioritising those who are most seriously injured and ill.”