Hart anger on ambulance targets

In some areas. fewer than half of ambulances arrived inside the target time

Health Minister Edwina Hart has again criticised the performance of the Welsh Ambulance Trust, six months after her last warning.

She was "extremely disappointed" that performance in reaching category A calls - crews arriving inside eight minutes - had worsened since June.

The latest figures show 58.8% of priority calls arrive within the target time, down from 62.7%.

The ambulance trust said it must study her comments before responding.

Ms Hart is also disappointed the variation in the service's performance "remains as wide as ever".

In June, following a review which found evidence of poor staff morale and a "bullying culture", the Welsh Ambulance Services promised to make improvements.

But in a written statement Ms Hart said latest statistics show that the level of performance has deteriorated across all areas.

I am well aware of their dedication to the job, despite the difficulties they face

Health Minister Edwina Hart

The latest figures for October show that performance stood at 58.8 % of category A calls arriving within eight minutes, down from 62.7% in June.

She added: "I am also disappointed that the variation in performance across Wales remains as wide as ever, with some areas still not achieving even 50% of category A calls being responded to within eight minutes."

Ms Hart said her officials have held regular discussions with the ambulance service and Health Commission Wales on how the performance targets can be reached.

The minister also expressed concern about "often lengthy" delays in handing patients over to A & E departments, with the problem particularly acute in both Cardiff and Gwent.

She said: "I must state that this is not a reflection on the ambulance crews who work hard every day to deliver a vital service to the people of Wales.

Consistent pattern

"I am well aware of their dedication to the job, despite the difficulties they face."

She said she was also extremely concerned about staff morale, an area highlighted in an audit committee report in November.

Over the last few weeks, she has learnt in person the problems faced day-by-day by crews.

"There has been a consistent pattern to the issues and comments which have been raised relating to the filling of vacant posts, cover during the busy Christmas period, frustrations about the quality of service being provided for patients and the need for senior management to be visible in the region," said Ms Hart.

She said a joint statement on staffing levels and training, among other issues, had been issued by the ambulance trust and trade unions.

But she warned: "These measures must now be implemented, with immediate action to fill vacancies for frontline staff, particularly in the south east of Wales, in order that response times improve.

"With Christmas coming I have given instructions that all available staff, including managerial staff, play their full part in ensuring that there is adequate cover for the emergency ambulance service over the whole of this period."

The minister also raised concerns about management capacity in south east Wales, saying the trust must urgently cover the deputy chief executive post with a senior officer.

She said: "The ambulance trust must raise its game and work with its staff and partner organisations to improve services for patients."

A spokesperson for the Welsh Ambulance Services said: "We need to study the minister's report carefully before we can comment."