Latest statistics for August 2009 show Emergency Ambulance Response Times for Powys were the lowest recorded since the Welsh Assembly was established in 1999. There was a substantial fall in the number of Powys Ambulances arriving on scene within the target eight minutes, with those on target falling from 53% in July to 38.8% in August. The All-Wales target is currently set at 65%.
Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat Mick Bates states:
“Ambulance response times in Powys have reached an appalling record low. I appreciate that during winter months there is increased pressure on the NHS but there is no excuse for such low response times in August.
“More and more patients are not receiving the emergency care that they need in Powys. There are not enough ambulances to cover such a large county and a shortage of acute beds so patients are being forced to wait in the vehicle, tying up ambulances which could be out responding to emergency calls.
“The Health Minister must look seriously at the challenge of delivering health care in rural areas such and take action to address these issues, so that patients in Powys no longer receive a second class service.”
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader, Kirsty Williams AM, adds:
“The vast and sparse nature of the county puts our emergency services at a disadvantage but this should not be an excuse for putting people’s lives at risk and giving Powys residents such a worryingly low response time. The Minister has written off Hywel Dda’s historic debt and must now offer the same debt write-off to the Ambulance Trust so that it can start afresh and improve performance across Wales.”
