How ambulance responses will change

Targets for ambulance response times in Wales are to be dropped for all but the most life-threatening calls.

In a one-year trial from October, performance for less urgent incidents will be assessed by clinical outcomes - the results of the treatment delivered.

The target of responding to 65% of very urgent calls within eight minutes will remain in place but will be monitored and will apply to a smaller number of calls, down from 40% to 10% of all 999 calls.

Paramedic Richard Lee, head of clinical services for the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust, explains how calls will be handled under the new policy.