60% Emergency Ambulances not on time in Powys (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

60% Emergency Ambulances not on time in Powys

February 11, 2009 12:00 AM

December 2008 saw a substantial fall in the number of Powys Ambulances arriving on scene within the target eight minutes, with those on target falling from 44.6% in November to 39.8%. The All-Wales target is currently set at 65%.

Mick Bates, AM for Montgomeryshire said:

"I am disappointed that response times in Powys have once again dropped. Given the size and rurality of the county , the delivery of ambulance services is particularly challenging, but people should not suffer because of where they live.

"As the cold weather continues, we need to see urgent action to tackle the issues of understaffing and a lack of resources, so that people in Powys receive the treatment that they deserve.

"The most worrying aspect remains the huge variation in response times across Wales, from 78.4% in Conwy to 39.8% in Powys. The Assembly Government must recognise and cater for the needs of rural areas such as Powys, where poor infrastructure, dispersed communities and an aging population will inevitably provide challenges."

Kirsty Williams AM for Brecon and Radnorshire said:

"With this 5% drop we have seen the marginal improvements of the previous month disappointingly reversed. I appreciate that there were factors which impacted upon these figures, including the flu epidemic, and frontline staff have worked hard to tackle these difficulties. But the fact remains that the WAG has failed to adequately support the trust to deal with calls in normal circumstances let alone during the busy winter period.

"It is true that the large and sparse nature of Powys puts our emergency services at a disadvantage but this should not be an excuse for putting people's lives at risk and giving my constituents a second class service.

"We urgently need to see the WAG provide the support and resources needed to make comprehensive and long term improvements and to address the historical debt which is leaving the trust with its hands tied behind its back."

Notes:

Stats can be found at:

http://www.statswales.wales.gov.uk/tableviewer/document.aspx?FileId=2121

Kirsty Williams last week held her Short Debate on Ambulance Cover in Powys, the record of Proceedings can be found at:

http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-chamber/bus-chamber-third-assembly-rop.htm?act=dis&id=114619&ds=2/2009#9

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