THE HEALTH Minister has announced a new system for assessing the performance of our ambulance service.

He outlined that it will focus upon the best outcomes for patients and is a new clinical response model, designed by Wales’ top ambulance service clinical leaders and based on firm evidence.

It is widely accepted that patients show better recovery outcomes if they receive treatment as soon as possible after an accident or medical emergency.

The recognition of this fact was a determining factor in setting the 8 minute response target 75 per cent of category A (emergency calls to immediately life threatening incidents).

Throughout my time as an Assembly Member, I have questioned five health ministers about Torfaen and Monmouthshire consistently experiencing some of the lowest ambulance response times for the whole of Wales.

I have also repeatedly emphasised that members of our medical and ambulance services undertake their duties with the utmost professionalism and with total regard for patient care. They provide a service singularly focused upon ensuring the best outcome for their patients.

A commitment reiterated by Tracy Myhill (Chief Executive of the Ambulance Service) in our recent meeting to discuss these issues.

Any failings lie with the management systems and restrictive practices; not with the staff providing our health services.

In 2004, after continuing failure to meet this target and the Auditor General for Wales highlighting that “breaches to targets were tolerated but not publicised”; Welsh Government revised the response target to 65 per cent of category A calls to be met within 8 minutes.

The minister’s announcement introduces three new categories – red, amber and green – to replace the current system, with addition time to gain information of the patient’s symptoms to verify the appropriate response.

Red: immediately life-threatening calls. Incidents where there is compelling clinical evidence that an immediate emergency response will make a difference to a patient’s outcome. Red calls retain the target response of 65 per cent within eight-minutes.

Amber: patients requiring treatment and care at the scene; then potentially fast transport to a healthcare facility. There is no time-based target for these calls; a range of clinical outcome indicators determine the appropriate delivery of care.

Green: non-serious calls, where patients can be handled by other health services, including healthcare advice or through self-care.

I support measures to enhance service delivery; therefore I cautiously await evidence to show improvements.

I will continue to vigorously scrutinise our ambulance service and further question the minister to deliver for patients throughout South Wales East.