Cardiff paramedic welcomes 999 response changes

A new system for dealing with 999 calls for ambulances in Wales has come into force.

Emergency response time targets will be scrapped for all but life-threatening cases during a one year trial.

Each call will now be graded and it is estimated that 10% of the 420,000 ambulance emergencies a year will be coded "red" for the most critical.

Managers say it will help prioritise life-threatening cases more effectively.

BBC Wales health correspondent Owain Clarke followed paramedic Geoff Lane on an emergency call to Ely in Cardiff, where patient Dennis had suffered scald burns from a kettle while having a seizure.

His first response is followed by an ambulance crew arriving. Under the new system there is a hope that patients at the most risk will be prioritised better.