HC Deb 18 February 1992 vol 204 c135W
Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to reduce ambulance response times in the Newry and Mourne unit of management.

Mr. Hanley

Over the six months period to December 1991, between 55 and 60 per cent. of emergency calls in the Newry and Mourne area were responded to within eight minutes and almost 93 per cent. within 19 minutes. The nationally agreed ambulance service standards for these response times are 50 and 95 per cent. respectively. The situation in the Newry and Mourne unit is being closely monitored and every effort is being made by management to keep response times to a minimum.