Menu
19/08/2004
Ambulance call-outs to be tailored to patients' need
Patients with non-urgent conditions who dial 999 will not automatically be sent an ambulance, but may instead receive treatment at home or from other healthcare professionals, under changes announced today by Health Minister Rosie Winterton.
She said: "We are now giving Strategic Health Authorities, Primary Care Trusts and local ambulance trusts the freedom to work together so they can decide how best to care for patients with non-urgent healthcare needs."
The Minister added: "Primary care trusts and ambulance trusts will now be able to work with other local health organisations to agree how to deliver the best possible, clinically safe response for patients and how to measure local performance. This will help to ensure patients get a fast responsive service that meets their needs and that efficient use is made of ambulance technicians, paramedics and emergency care practitioner skills.
"Thanks to the hard work of staff, ambulance trusts are reaching more patients with life-threatening conditions faster than ever before, reaching over 75 per cent of them in under eight minutes. Our NHS reforms mean that we are shifting the balance of power from the centre, to patients and frontline NHS staff, using national leverage to enhance local delivery."
Many ambulance trusts are already implementing new ways of working to provide services tailored to individual patients who have non-urgent health care needs and do not need to be taken to A&E such as patients being treated at home by a nurse, paramedic or emergency care practitioner so that they do not have to go to hospital.
Welcoming the ability to "exercise greater discretion in responding to non life-threatening calls," Ambulance Service Association President Paul Phillips, said that the Association had worked closely with the Department of Health and other services on the issue of effective 'Category C' responses.
Currently performance requirements for ambulances dealing with non-urgent 999 'Category C' calls - for minor injuries and non-life threatening conditions - are set and monitored at a national level.
Under the changes, effective from October 1, local NHS organisations will have responsibility for managing and monitoring how local services respond to these types of call.
(SP)
She said: "We are now giving Strategic Health Authorities, Primary Care Trusts and local ambulance trusts the freedom to work together so they can decide how best to care for patients with non-urgent healthcare needs."
The Minister added: "Primary care trusts and ambulance trusts will now be able to work with other local health organisations to agree how to deliver the best possible, clinically safe response for patients and how to measure local performance. This will help to ensure patients get a fast responsive service that meets their needs and that efficient use is made of ambulance technicians, paramedics and emergency care practitioner skills.
"Thanks to the hard work of staff, ambulance trusts are reaching more patients with life-threatening conditions faster than ever before, reaching over 75 per cent of them in under eight minutes. Our NHS reforms mean that we are shifting the balance of power from the centre, to patients and frontline NHS staff, using national leverage to enhance local delivery."
Many ambulance trusts are already implementing new ways of working to provide services tailored to individual patients who have non-urgent health care needs and do not need to be taken to A&E such as patients being treated at home by a nurse, paramedic or emergency care practitioner so that they do not have to go to hospital.
Welcoming the ability to "exercise greater discretion in responding to non life-threatening calls," Ambulance Service Association President Paul Phillips, said that the Association had worked closely with the Department of Health and other services on the issue of effective 'Category C' responses.
Currently performance requirements for ambulances dealing with non-urgent 999 'Category C' calls - for minor injuries and non-life threatening conditions - are set and monitored at a national level.
Under the changes, effective from October 1, local NHS organisations will have responsibility for managing and monitoring how local services respond to these types of call.
(SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 July 2006
Government announces investment in ambulances
NHS ambulance trusts in England have been given a £25 million boost in order to help improve response times for the most urgent calls.
Government announces investment in ambulances
NHS ambulance trusts in England have been given a £25 million boost in order to help improve response times for the most urgent calls.
18 December 2008
Ambulance Service Under Pressure As 999 Calls Soar
People are being asked to avoid calling 999 unless it is an emergency, as ambulance services are struggling to cope with outbreaks of illness the cold winter weather has brought.
Ambulance Service Under Pressure As 999 Calls Soar
People are being asked to avoid calling 999 unless it is an emergency, as ambulance services are struggling to cope with outbreaks of illness the cold winter weather has brought.
02 July 2004
Green light for ambulances on speeding fine problem
Ambulance drivers will no longer be issued with speeding fines when en-route to emergency 999 calls, Health Minister Rosie Winterton announced today. The Ambulance Service Association (ASA) estimates that it costs some Ambulance Trusts up to £1million a year to deal with the paperwork involved in proving that vehicles are responding to emergencies.
Green light for ambulances on speeding fine problem
Ambulance drivers will no longer be issued with speeding fines when en-route to emergency 999 calls, Health Minister Rosie Winterton announced today. The Ambulance Service Association (ASA) estimates that it costs some Ambulance Trusts up to £1million a year to deal with the paperwork involved in proving that vehicles are responding to emergencies.
22 September 2008
Scottish Government Pledges Cap On Surgery Waiting Times
Scottish patients may soon have a legal guarantee that they will wait no longer than 12 weeks for surgery. The Scottish Government's Patient Rights Bill proposes a strict limit on how long they have to wait from their surgical referral to receiving their operation.
Scottish Government Pledges Cap On Surgery Waiting Times
Scottish patients may soon have a legal guarantee that they will wait no longer than 12 weeks for surgery. The Scottish Government's Patient Rights Bill proposes a strict limit on how long they have to wait from their surgical referral to receiving their operation.
31 January 2014
Inspectors Find Series of Failures In Private Ambulance Service
Private ambulance service NSL Care Services is facing closure after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that it was failing to meet mandatory standards in four out of five areas. Inspectors found a number of failings, including patients experiencing long waits and that some staff had not undergone criminal record checks.
Inspectors Find Series of Failures In Private Ambulance Service
Private ambulance service NSL Care Services is facing closure after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that it was failing to meet mandatory standards in four out of five areas. Inspectors found a number of failings, including patients experiencing long waits and that some staff had not undergone criminal record checks.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
