Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 12 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 15 December 2000. It was answered by Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Labour) on Friday, 15 December 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what contigency plans have been made since October by each ambulance trust to ensure that attendance times are maintained. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contingency plans have been made since October by each ambulance trust to ensure that attendance times are maintained. [142886] Ms Stuart: National Health Service ambulance trusts have a good track record of managing winter pressures and assessment of NHS ambulance trusts' winter plans demonstrates that they are well prepared for the winter and have effective escalation and contingency plans in place. We have set national ambulance response time targets for the ambulance service in England. By 31 March 2001, conditions which may be immediately life-threatening should be responded to within eight minutes irrespective of location in 75 per cent. of cases. Four NHS ambulance trusts are already meeting the 75 per cent. target and most NHS ambulance trusts are expected to reach the target early next year. We have invested an extra £21 million in NHS ambulance trusts in England in 2000-01 to help them to continue making progress on their response times. This money has been invested in extra vehicles and extra front line staff. Evidence suggests that in achieving the 75 per cent. target, 1,800 lives each year will be saved in people under 75 years of age suffering acute heart attacks.

Secondary information