Daily Post
CARDIFF, Wales — Health minister Edwina Hart last night revealed changes to the Ambulance Service in Wales.
The developments will move the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust to more clinically focused outcome measures.
In a letter to AMs Ms Hart said: “Put simply, the developments will ensure patients receive the most appropriate response to their needs. If a patient needs to speak to a nurse, they will speak to a nurse. If an emergency ambulance is needed, an emergency ambulance will be sent.
“Further, the new arrangements will empower the Trust to focus on the highest clinical acuity, life threatening or serious incidents, such as patients with cardiac arrest and stroke, and help to safeguard the Trust’s immediate response capacity. This will ensure that patients with the most need for treatment are responded to quickly.
“Category A calls are life threatening calls which require an ambulance to be dispatched as soon as the call is identified as a high acuity call. Under the proposed changes to the policy framework, the existing Category A call codes will be supplemented by the most serious patient calls such as stroke and diabetic related illnesses. These calls will continue to receive a ‘hot response’ where an ambulance responds within the current eight minute standard.”
All remaining calls will be designated as Category C calls and will receive either an ambulance response or telephone link to a nurse.
“The Trust is well placed to initiate the changes to ensure the people of Wales receive the ambulance services they deserve,” added Ms Hart.
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