Kirsty Williams
Patients and NHS staff are being badly let down by the Welsh Labour Government, Kirsty Williams AM has said today, following the publication of poor ambulance response time figures.
According to figures published today, in March only 55% of emergency responses to Category A (immediately life-threatening) calls arrived at the scene within 8 minutes. This is despite the target being for 65% of ambulances to arrive within that time.
Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said:
“Last month, the Minister blamed ‘extreme weather’ for what were the worst ambulance response times in years. This month, we have seen only the smallest improvement, yet the Minister can’t once again blame the weather. It’s time the Welsh Labour Government took some responsibility for the huge problems that face our ambulance service.
“It is a national disgrace that in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire and Cardiff, less than half of life-threatening calls were responded to within the eight minutes. Lives can be lost because of slow response times and people are being badly let down.
“I am increasingly concerned about the stress our ambulance staff are being put under. They work tremendously hard and it must be hugely demoralising seeing these figures published each month. They deserve better and are being let down by the Welsh Labour Government.
