§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the recommended response times of ambulances to different categories of emergency calls; and if he will make a statement. [149678]
§ Ms StuartTargets, supported by evidence of clinical and cost effectiveness, have been set for all 999 and urgent ambulance calls. Category A calls which may be immediately life-threatening should be responded to within eight minutes irrespective of location in 75 per cent. of cases by 31 March 2001. All other calls should be responded to within 14 minutes in urban areas and 19 minutes in rural areas in 95 per cent. of cases.
Clinical evidence suggests that achievement of the 75 per cent. milestone could save 1,800 lives each year in people under 75 years of age suffering heart attacks. National Health Service ambulance trusts are improving their response times. We are determined that every NHS ambulance trust must achieve the 75 per cent. milestone as quickly as possible. 75 per cent. is an achievable milestone and further progress will be one of the things considered in the context of future developments in NHS emergency care.
§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many emergency calls for ambulances were received(a) nationally, (b) in each shire county and (c) in Gloucestershire in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [149676]
§ Ms StuartInformation about emergency calls for each National Health Service ambulance trust and nationally in each of the last five years is contained in Table 3 of the Department of Health Statistical Bulletin "Ambulance Services, England 1999–2000". A copy is in the Library and available at www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0014.htm.