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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of additional ambulances and crew required by the London Ambulance Service (a) to achieve the best eight minute response rate currently achieved by an urban trust and (b) for 55 per cent. of calls to be responded to in eight minutes, using the most recent annual figures available. [142546] Ms Stuart: [holding answer 14 December 2000]: It is not possible to identify the number of additional ambulances and crew required by the London Ambulance Service (LAS) to achieve the best eight minute response rate currently achieved by an urban trust. The LAS have a plan for the achievement of 55 per cent. of calls to be responded to in eight minutes. In the plan, the number of additional crew required is 125 additional staff on the establishment. The number of additional ambulances needed to meet this response rate is 25. However, meeting this target is not just a matter of more ambulances and crew members; location of ambulances in the area is a factor, as is working practices of the LAS.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

142546; 359 c302-3W;359 c300-1W

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Administrative delays Ambulance services Emergency calls Staff Standards Urban areas Vehicles London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk